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Detroit Lions: 5 NFL draft prospects worth tanking for

By Steven Mullenax

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 23: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 23: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Chase Young, Ohio State Buckeyes
Chase Young, Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

The hype around Chase Young would suggest that he’ll be a top-two selection in the 2020 NFL Draft if the annual college prospect selection event were to take place today. There is still plenty of time, scouting, and events that will take place in the coming months.

Yet, Young seems to be a similar track that his Buckeye teammate, Nick Bosa, was on last year. The younger brother of San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa was selected second overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. And Nick has recorded 8.0 sacks through 13 games of this rookie season.

Like both Bosa’s, Young figures to be a furious edge rusher right out of the gate. He’s posted an incredible 16.5 sacks through 10 games this season at Ohio State. Young is considered by many to be the top defender in this upcoming draft class and it will likely take a top-two selection to acquire him.

What Young could do for the Detroit Lions is painfully obvious. The Lions have fielded one of the worst defenses in the NFL this season despite the presence of a defensive genius pacing the sidelines in second-year head coach Matt Patricia. Detroit ranks 29th in the league allowing an average of 394.7 offensive yards per contest through 13 games.

One area where the Lions defense has struggled specifically has been getting to opposing quarterbacks. Detroit has collectively recorded 25.0 total sacks this season, which ranks them 28th in the NFL in that category. The Lions simply need a better pass rush and someone like Chase Young could provide that.

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