Detroit Lions shouldn’t be wary of Chase Young’s combine comment

Ohio State’s superstar defensive end Chase Young didn’t work out at the NFL combine and didn’t mix words when asked about it.  Should the Detroit Lions be nervous about how he addressed not showcasing his skills?

In a perfect world, the highly decorated defensive end (DE) Chase Young from Ohio State lands in the lap of Bob Quinn and the Detroit Lions when the organization is on the clock at the NFL Draft.  If Young happens to fall to Detroit at three, Bob Quinn needs to sprint the draft card to the podium and promptly hand it to the NFL’s commissioner Roger Goodell.

Unlike previous star defensive players Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, Young decided to forgo the opportunity to solidify himself as the second overall pick in the draft with a stellar performance at the NFL combine over the weekend. Of course, the two comparisons were both selected first overall. However, you could make an argument Young should be taken with the first pick; they’re already printing Burrow Bengals jerseys in Cincinnati.

Here is what Young had to say regarding not participating in the combine;

"” I don’t want to waste time trying to be a combine athlete.”"

I have no issue with Young skipping the combine, or making these comments, put on the tape.  We want athletes to be honest, but we rush to criticize what they say.

Young was a dominating force for much of the season, without a doubt the top DE in the 2020 draft class.  Probably the best defensive prospect in the entire draft, but that is debatable, oddly enough with another Buckeye, Jeff Okudah.  Although Okudah looks like a can’t miss prospect with the makings of a shutdown corner; it’s a passing league and Detroit proved last season if they can’t create pressure, having a franchise cornerback won’t help much.

Why would Young, who’s widely expected to be selected as a top-three pick without competing at the combine risk an injury or even a mediocre performance hurting his draft stock?  This is a business decision, and I’m ok with it.  Not many people are criticizing Joe Burrow for not going through the drills?  What is the difference?

The Detroit Lions should be a bit more concerned with Young’s final three performances of the season.  Young was unable to produce any pressure in each of Ohio State’s final three games of the season. He failed to produce a single sack against Michigan, Wisconsin, or Clemson.  Against the Wolverines, he was unable to make a tackle; he was skunked.

Against the Badgers, Young recorded 6 tackles and knocked down two passes.  In the playoffs against Clemson, under the bright lights, Young recorded two tackles.  That’s it.  If I’m Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia, those films mean a heck of a lot more to me than skipping the combine. Perhaps Young had already checked out mentally with his sights set on the NFL?

Young followed up a 10.5 sack sophomore year with an impressive 16.5 sack junior campaign.  He also forced 7 fumbles last season, made 46 tackles and a whopping 21 of those were a tackle for loss.

He’s exactly what the doctor ordered for the Detroit Lions, and a no-brainer if he’s available when the Detroit Lions pick third.