The 49ers saw their pass rush disappoint in two key losses to the Vikings and Bengals that dropped them to 5-0 after a 5-3 start. They didn't waste time adding another player who can help them get to quarterbacks.
Nick Bosa now gets support from his former Ohio State first-round teammate, Chase Young. Young went No. 2 overall in the 2020 draft, but injuries kept him from reaching that dominant disruptive potential in Washington, prompting the Commanders to trade him ahead of Tuesday's 2023 NFL midseason deadline.
The 49ers get Young, who has six sacks so far this season. Between Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Drake Jackson, who are all tied for the team lead, they have nine sacks. Did San Francisco get too desperate with a sudden surprise weakness or was it a shrewd move? Here's breaking down both sides of the deal.
MORE: Grading every trade from 2023 NFL deadline
Chase Young trade grades
49ers receive:
- EDGE Chase Young
Lions receive:
- 2024 third-round draft pick
49ers grade: A+
Young can play well off Bosa and doesn't need to be an every-down player to be impactful for the 49ers. The team did take an earlier shot on former Bronco and Cowboy Randy Gregory, but Young can be the real necessary game-changer for Steve Wilks' defense.
There's no doubt Young will inject some much-needed life in the pass rush. he also gets to get settled into the new defensive scheme with a Week 9 bye. The 49ers have a tough schedule ahead with the Jaguars, Eagles and Seahawks being four of the next five opponents. They can't afford any more slumping and need to snap their three-game losing streak, stat.
Young will be productive in the scheme, there's no quesiton. The only concern is whether the 49ers can make the financials work to keep Young beyond the end of 2023. They should have confidence Young, should he play well, can be more than a sparking rental.
Commanders grade: D
The Commanders seemed willing and ready to move on quickly from Young, Montez Sweat and any key pieces involved in the disastrous overpaid defense under coach Ron Rivera and coordinator Jack Del Rio. They did much better in getting a second-round draft pick from the Bears for Sweat, who is the much better all-around defender than Young.
Just as Young was looking healthy and flashing his massive upside, something he hasn't done much since being drafted, the Commanders didn't even consider keeping him around for the next stage of their rebuild. To that end in terms of moving a bigger contract, dealing Sweat made a lot more sense.
But dumping Young signals a cleaning of house should be ahead for the new ownership that includes Josh Harris and Magic Johnson. Rivera's bad defense goes to worse, and there won't be enough Washington wins the rest of the season to save his job.
