Name: Chase Young
Position: Edge rusher
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6-5/264
40-yard dash: Did not run
Bench: Did not lift
Vertical: Did not jump
Broad: Did not jump
3-cone: Did not run
20-yard shuttle: Did not run
How he fits: The top pass rusher in this draft can play with his hands in the dirt or rush as a stand-up outside linebacker, which makes him a fit in any scheme.
The Lions have Trey Flowers on one edge, and upgraded their other edge with the addition of Jamie Collins in free agency, but Young would be a perfect complement to both veterans with the ability to play either spot. The Lions had just 28 sacks last year, second fewest in the league. Detroit needs more players who can affect the passer upfront, and Young is the best in this class at accomplishing that.
He led the nation with 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in 12 starts last season. He was tied for fourth in the FBS with 21 tackles for loss among his 46 total tackles.
Key observations: Young was fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting and most analysts consider him the best edge-rushing prospect in the last decade, even better than fellow former Buckeyes Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa. His 96.5 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus last season is an all-time record for the analytic website. Young turns just 21 years old on April 14. His 30.5 sacks are the second most in Ohio State school history.
What they had to say about him: "A two-year starter at Ohio State, Young rushed off the left and right edges in the Buckeyes' four-man front, occasionally kicking inside on passing downs, and was accustomed to seeing extra blockers to his side of the field. A tireless student of the game, he stayed productive with a target on his back and attached himself to the hip of legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who helped cultivate his talent, taking him from good to great and great to elite.
"Young has impressive athletic twitch, especially for his size/build, keeping his hips, hands and feet in sync to maintain his balance mid-rush. His ease of movement expands his bag of tricks, and he is quick to read blockers, adjusting his attack mid-play instead of predetermining his moves. Overall, Young not only has the physical ingredients (size, speed, strength), but his technical know-how and diagnosis skills as a pass-rusher are advanced for his age, projecting to the NFL as a freakier version of Bradley Chubb and the best overall player in the 2020 NFL Draft." – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
How he stacks up: NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein gave Young an NFL player comparison to Julius Peppers. Peppers finished his 17-year career with 159.5 sacks.
Young is the No. 1 overall prospect in NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's list of the Top 50 prospects.
"Young is an All-Pro talent, reminiscent of Julius Peppers and Mario Williams," Jeremiah wrote.
Young is also rated the No. 1 overall prospect in the draft by Scouts Inc. and CBS Sports.
What he had to say: "I definitely think I'm the best player in the draft," Young said at the Combine. "I think I showed it on my tape. You can go to every game. I think I showed it. I definitely think I'll put my best foot forward this year. I grinded hard. Two of my biggest things are my hard work and dedication, and I'm gonna bring those two to the NFL with me."
