By Adam Aniba
It was a whirlwind trade deadline this week with Washington trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
The Sweat trade received more positive feedback, based on the compensation with the Bears trading their 2023 2nd round selection (currently #37 overall) for the former Mississippi State star pass rusher.
As for Young, the 49'ers traded their 3rd round compensatory pick (#100 overall) to Washington.
Per Commander Insider Ben Standig with The Athletic, an anonymous Washington team source had the following to say about the former #2 overall selection.
"The team views the trade of Young as a potential addition by subtraction"
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mike Silver, who also wrote for the Washington Commanders team site in 2021 and good friend of Rivera (Went to Cal Univ together), detailed his conversations regarding Young with Washington coaches.
"Young according to several Commanders coaches and other organizational sources was viewed as an undisciplined player, who developed bad habits such as a deviating from assignments in effort to make splash plays".
Some expect a significant drop off in play with Young gone, but the truth is Daron Payne and Jon Allen have had success with Young out of the lineup.
Over the last 3 seasons Young registered 999 defensive snaps recording 6.5 sacks, 14 QB hits 9 tackles for loss and 46 combined tackles. In comparison, defensive end Casey Toohill had 817 defensive snaps with 6 sacks ,17 QB hits, 6 tackles for loss and 62 combined tackles.
Bringing back 2024 UFAs Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams should be a priority. Washington still needs to find at least one starting caliber DE via free agency or in the upcoming NFL Draft though.
As it stands, free agency will be slim pickings at tackle (players of note Tryon Smith and Duane Brown), but players always get released prior to free agency and the draft.
Cornerback will also be a position of need heading into the offseason, but like offensive tackle, pickings are slim at this time (Adoree Jackson, Jeff Okudah & Stephon Gilmore).
Although it's only November, it's never too early to have a look at some priority free agents that should be on Washington's radar.
2024 Free Agent Wish List
DE Brian Burns (25 yrs old)
*SS Kamren Curl (24 yrs old)
ILB Devin White (25 yrs old)
ILB Patrick Queen (24 yrs old)
*DE James Smith-Williams (26 yrs old)
*DE Casey Toohill (27 yrs old)
NFL Draft Options
As the season progresses The Burgundy and Gold Report will publish NFL Draft prospect scouting reports, but 3 prospects are on the early BIg Board.
UGA Tight End Brock Bowers
2022 John Mackey Award Winner
2022 FWAA All-America First Team
2022 Academic All-America First Team
PSU OT Olu Fashanu
2022 Second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches
2022 Second-team Associated Press All-Big Ten
2022 Second-team Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten
2022 Dick Maginnis Memorial Award for most outstanding offensive lineman...
2022 Academic All-Big Ten honoree
ND Offensive Tackle Joe Alt
2022 First Team All-American
2022 Second Team USA Today All-American
2022 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll