Chase Young or Dante Fowler?
I bet you probably never thought you would ask yourself this question.
Fowler, a current Commanders The defensive end not only loves wearing the number six jersey, but has also played on six NFL teams in his nine NFL seasons.
Young, was not only a first-round pick like Fowler, but he was repeatedly considered “a generational talent”, leading to him being selected second overall by Washington’s general manager and HC Ron Rivera in the 2020 NFL draft.
Most fans don’t realize that Fowler was the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Yet Fowler suffered an injury ending his rookie season before ever seeing a regular season game. Then came 2016 and 2017, when Fowler only started one game.
There have been two seasons with the Rams (2018-19), two with the Falcons (2020-21) and the Cowboys and Dan Quinn (2022-23), and with Quinn now in Washington in 2024.
Young was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. However, he then determined that even though 89 players showed up to work during the team’s offseason practices, he didn’t need them. He frustrated coaches in 2021, recklessly straying from assigned passing lanes.
A serious knee injury ended his very disappointing 2021 season. In 2022, he disappointed coaches again by not returning even though doctors said he was ready.
Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. He was part of a Super Bowl team, but he was caught on camera multiple times, simply not putting in the necessary effort.
Therefore, Young became a free agent and sought the best offer he could receive from an NFL team. That team was the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders’ next opponent.
Fowler is having his best season in the NFL since 2019 (Rams) when he generated 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL and 16 QB hits. With four games remaining, Fowler has accumulated 8.5 sacks, 30 tackles (19 solo, 11 assisted), and 11 TFLs. Fowler even has a pick-6 against the Panthers this season.
Young, on the other hand, had 7.5 sacks and 10 TFLs in his rookie season. He had 7.5 sacks in 2023, but his tackles were much less. This season for the Saints, Young has 3.5 sacks, 22 tackles and six TFLs.
You’d think Young has been making his mark on Sunday vs the Commanders for a while now.
Fowler probably won’t say anything all week. But he will show up on Sunday and make some great defensive plays.
This article was originally published on Commanders Wire: Best for Commanders: Chase Young or Dante Fowler?
