Call for Vikings to Acquire $34 Million Rising Star…
The Minnesota Vikings are facing a need for reinforcement at the edge rusher position, given the impending free agency of their two starting players. The suggestion has been made that former No. 2 overall pick, Chase Young, could be a viable solution.
Bleacher Report’s staff has advocated for Young as a potential addition in the upcoming free agency period. This move is seen as a strategic response to the potential departure of D.J. Wonnum and Danielle Hunter, whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the 2023 season.
While Young may not have fully lived up to the expectations set by his 2020 draft status, he is currently enjoying a comeback season after recovering from an ACL tear in 2021. Trading between the Washington Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers in November, Young has tied his career-high with 7.5 sacks this season.
Depending on the Vikings’ roster decisions, especially with significant contracts pending for Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, and Hunter, Young could present an attractive buy-low opportunity in the upcoming offseason.
Bleacher Report emphasizes Young’s potential to offer the best of both worlds: being a 25-year-old player with immediate impact capabilities. The report notes that Young could contribute to the team’s success right away.
Young, the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, has not replicated the big-play potential of his rookie season. However, his consistency has compensated for the lack of flashy statistics. He currently boasts a career-high 19% pass-rush win rate, ranking 15th among all edge rushers this season, according to ESPN.
Had Young remained in Washington, where he recorded 5.0 sacks in seven games, he might have exceeded his rookie-year sack mark of 7.5. Even in a rotational role in San Francisco, Young has maintained success, tallying 2.5 sacks in eight games and ranking 18th among all edge rushers with 62 pressures this season, despite playing only 54% of defensive snaps since his trade.
Spotrac projects Young’s market value at $13.6 million per year, suggesting a potential two-year, $27 million contract in the offseason.
The Vikings, facing uncertainty with Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum, could find Young a valuable addition to their edge rusher lineup. Hunter’s outstanding performance this season could lead to a competitive market, potentially beyond the Vikings’ budget. Wonnum’s injury in Week 16 could impact his free agency prospects, making it a more favorable scenario for the Vikings to re-sign him.
As the contracts of Hunter, Wonnum, and Marcus Davenport expire in March, the Vikings will be closely watched for how they address the edge rusher position.
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