Chase Young Is Already Heavily Favored to Win NFL DROY, Now Given +2000 Odds to Win DPOY After Week 1

• Washington Football Team rookie defensive end Chase Young’s odds to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year shortened following a strong debut
• Young’s 1.5 sacks helped Washington upset the 5.5-point favorite Philadelphia Eagles 27-17 in Week 1
• Does Young have a shot to win both NFL DROY and DPOY? See his odds below

Chase Young made an immediate impact in his NFL debut.

The edge rusher helped spearheaded a strong defensive effort by the Washington Football Team this past Sunday. Despite being a 5.5-point underdog, Washington shut out the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half and overcame a 17-0 deficit to win 27-17.

Young was already a heavy favorite in the NFL DROY Odds as a +155 choice. His smashing debut shortened his NFL DPOY Odds. A week ago, those odds were +4600.

2020 NFL DPOY Odds for Top Contenders

Odds taken Sept. 15

Sparkling Debut for Former Buckeye Stud

Washington had high hopes for Young when they selected him with the second overall pick in this year’s  draft out of Ohio State. He did not disappoint in Week 1.

The 6-foot-5, 264-pounder had 1.5 of the Redskins’ eight sacks of Carson Wentz. Young also forced a fumble, had a QB hit and made four tackles (two solos). He was also on the field for 53 of Washington’s 68 defensive snaps.

Both sacks Young participated in came at key points in the game.

The first came with three minutes left in the first quarter on a third-down play at the Washington 17. Young also forced a fumble on the play. Though the Eagles recovered the loose ball, they had to settle for a field goal and a 10-0 lead.

Chase Young with the nasty spin move for his first NFL sack 😤 @youngchase907 @WashingtonNFL pic.twitter.com/sYhBNW7ClI

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 13, 2020

Young and DaRon Payne combined to sack Wentz with 3:25 left in the fourth quarter and Washington up 27-17. Wentz again fumbled, though Pane was credited with forcing it.

Washington took over at the Eagles’ 16 and basically ran out the clock.

Sacks Gain Votes

Getting to the quarterback twice was a good first step in Young’ campaign to win DPOY. Voters shown a penchant for sack masters over the years.

When New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore won DPOY last season, it ended a stretch of seven times in eight years when the award went to a pass rusher.

Los Angeles Rams tackle Aaron Donald was the winner in 2017 and 2018 after then-Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack took the honor in 2016. Houston Texans end J.J. Watt won it three times on a four-year span from 2012-15 with Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly interrupting the streak in 2013.

Aaron Donald just tried to use Zeke as a prop to sack Dak Prescott 😳

pic.twitter.com/3yV4AlEybv

— Pickswise (@Pickswise) September 14, 2020

The average number of sacks the DPOY had in those seven seasons was 14. That is a number for Young to shoot for and showed he is capable of that last season when took downs QBs 16.5 times for Ohio State.

Youth vs. Experience

The Eagles had many injuries on their offensive line in Week 1.

Right tackle Lane Johnson was a late scratch when it was determined he had not sufficiently healed from ankle surgery.

Rookie Jack Driscoll moved from right guard to right tackle and second-year player Nate Herbig started at right guard. When Driscoll was injured in the second half, he was replaced by fellow rookie, Jordan Mailata.

HBK #PHIvsWAS@budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/SD61AdaOkL

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 13, 2020

However, Young did not feast on that inexperienced trio. He was lined up opposite left tackle Jason Peters.

While Peters is 38 and spent most of training camp at right guard, he has been to nine Pro Bowls.

Defense Could Be Good

Young is expected to be a major part of the Washington defense. That defense was plenty good in Week 1 as it limited the Eagles to 265 total yards and had three takeaways.

Perhaps most impressive about that performance is that seven different combined for the eight sacks. It is a sign of good depth indicator that Young may not be asked to put pressure on himself.

All 8 sacks by the @WashingtonNFL defense, for your viewing pleasure 👇🏽#WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/S17aqNA49d

— Tae & Todd Washington Football Podcast (@TaeNToddPodcast) September 14, 2020

Washington’s new head coach Ron Rivera has a defensive background and first-year defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is highly regarded. The defense has a chance to be good.

Add it up and, at his current price for winning DPOY, Young is worth a wager.