2020 NFL Draft: Chase Young a higher ceiling than 49ers Nick Bosa?

The San Francisco 49ers grabbed the most prolific edge rusher in the 2019 NFL Draft, Ohio State’s Nick Bosa. But can the next Ohio State EDGE, Chase Young, be even better in this year’s draft?

San Francisco 49ers 2019 rookie edge rusher Nick Bosa certainly didn’t play like a first-year player last season. If anything, the No. 2 overall selection from last year’s NFL Draft looked like a seasoned pro, wreaking havoc off the edge and doing far more than just getting the occasional sack or two.

The Niners, whose pass rush was hurting the previous year, benefited from Bosa’s abilities and then some, as the former Ohio State product earned himself both a Pro Bowl nod and Defensive Rookie of the Year accolade in year one.

Awfully impressive, sure.

And yet it looks as if Ohio State is going to churn out yet another prolific pass-rusher in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chase Young, who arguably could be the best overall talent in this year’s draft class. If the Cincinnati Bengals, who are selecting No. 1 overall, end up grabbing quarterback Joe Burrow with the top pick, Young could wind up going second in the draft.

Just like Bosa the year prior.

The Niners have no chance at Young, of course, barring some terrible injury at the NFL Scouting Combine or a drastic fall for reasons one can’t even fathom. But Young’s champions haven’t shied away from suggesting he might actually be better than Bosa.

That’s a statement ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay argued last December:

And the wonderment about Young’s ceiling didn’t start there.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin played with both Bosa brothers, Nick and Joey, and Young at Ohio State, then joined radio row before Super Bowl LIV (h/t NFL.com’s Kevin Patra) to break down what he sees between the three pass-rushers.

“I’ve seen them all,” McLaurin said. “In college, I felt like Chase was the most productive of the three, and he has a chance to possibly be the best. That doesn’t take anything away from [Joey and Nick]. That just tells you how good he can be.”

Young does appear to have slightly more of an edge, in terms of speed, than the 49ers’ top pick from the 2019 draft. Yet both players displayed excellent hand fighting and violence at the point of contact, also possessing a solid variety of pass-rushing moves.

Nick Bosa showcased a veteran savvy which suggested he was playing at a level far above that of a rookie.

Based off the trajectory, Young could be hitting the same pace.

The Washington Redskins currently own the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft. If Cincinnati elects to go with Burrow, Washington would be silly to pass up on a generational talent like Young.

But if Young wants to live up to the kind of reputation Bosa put together his rookie season, the only thing the former will need to do is secure himself a year-one Pro Bowl nod and earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

By the looks of it, Young might be perfectly able to follow in the footsteps of his former Buckeyes teammate in that regard.

The 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 23.