They say you can’t truly grade a draft until at least three years removed from that draft. So, now feels like the perfect time to go back and grade the Washington Commanders’ 2020 NFL draft.
That draft, of course, was the year Washington selected defensive end Chase Young at No. 2 overall. Over the last two years, we’ve seen some do redrafts, which is a silly notion, and give the Commanders quarterback Justin Herbert.
That sounds great, but we live in reality. You do not get do-overs.
As for Young, things began as expected. At times, he was a game-wrecker on the edge, recording 7.5 sacks and helping lead the Commanders to a surprising NFC East division title, albeit with a losing record, and won the NFL defensive rookie of the year.
Since that time, Young has only appeared in 12 games due to a significant knee injury. In the nine games before his 2021 knee injury, Young had just 1.5 sacks. He returned in Week 16 of the 2022 season and looked like his athletic self, but he did not record a sack.
The Commanders declined to pick up Young’s fifth-year option, guaranteed at over $17 million for 2024, making him a free agent after the 2023 season.
Let’s head back to that 2020 draft for a moment. Washington also selected running back Antonio Gibson [third round], offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles [fourth round], safety Kamren Curl and defensive James Smith-Williams [seventh round].
Gibson has been excellent at times, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2021 after scoring 11 touchdowns as a rookie. Charles has yet to establish himself but has logged several starts.
Curl is the gem of the class and is in line for a significant extension once new ownership takes over. Smith-Williams was also an excellent Day 3 pick, starting several games and becoming an important part of Washington’s defensive end rotation.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave Washington a “B” after the 2020 NFL draft. Three years later, Prisco sticks with that grade and explains why.
The Skinny: They took edge player Chase Young with the second overall pick. He flashed star potential as a rookie, but then suffered a major knee injury in 2021. He wasn’t the same player last season. This year is big for him. After that, they took running back Antonio Gibson in the third after trading their second-round pick the year before to draft Montez Sweat. Gibson has been a big part of their offense the past three years. Fourth-round offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles has been a sometimes starter, although he will open as a backup in 2023. They hit big on seventh-round safety Kamren Curl, who is one of the better players on their defense. Seventh-round edge James Smith-Williams had 14 starts and three sacks last season. But he has mostly been a backup.
How I did: I loved the pick of Young, but who didn’t? The injury has changed the trajectory of his career. I questioned trading the second to draft Sweat the year before, but Washington nailed that decision. I liked the picks of Gibson and Charles since both were on my Better-Than team that year. I also said fourth-round receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden had a chance, but he retired after two seasons with just one catch.
That’s fair. While Young’s career has been disappointing thus far, not all of it is his fault; his production before the injury is a concern, though. But that potential still exists, and 2023 is a massive season for him.
Curl, Gibson and Smith-Williams were all excellent choices, especially when you consider where Washington landed them.
