Getty Image / Jess Rapfogel
The San Francisco 49ers were already one of the most talented teams in the NFL before they traded for high-upside defensive end Chase Young at the trade deadline last week. And, coming off of a bye week, he could be ready to make an impact for the 49ers this weekend as the team take on the Jaguars.
Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
“I think he’s going to jump in right away,” Shanahan told reporters. “First time we saw him was Monday. We had a slight small practice, and we’ll see him out there [Wednesday] really for a real practice. Hopefully he’ll pick up the stuff throughout the week and going to be out there a good bit on Sunday.”
Asked whether he hopes to have a “big role” for Young, Shanahan said, “Yes, hope so.”
Shanahan also addressed the extent to which Young’s relationship with former college teammate Nick Bosa could benefit Young, making the in-season adjustment easier.
“I think anytime you go to a new place, that’s always a little weird for people, football players just like anybody else,” Shanahan said. “You want to go in there and meet everyone and stuff, but I think it’s always nice to have someone you’ve known prior to kind of show you the ropes and understand who you are, let other guys know and it’s just an easier transition for people.”
This is a low-risk, high-reward move for the San Francisco 49ers. Young was the 2nd-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and when Washington drafted him, he was expected to grow into one of the league’s best players. Billed as a generational prospect, Young has not lived up to that billing. It’s not as if he’s been a bad player. But, he only has 14 sacks in 34 games, far from the level of even a Pro Bowler, let alone the All-Pro he was supposed to be.
But, he has that potential, and getting to play with a college teammate in Nick Bosa could help him unlock the massive potential he had shown earlier in his career. The 49ers bet a third-round pick that he would start playing great football.
The San Francisco 49ers need a win, as they’ve lost three straight to drop to 5-3 after a perfect 5-0 start. Meanwhile, the Jaguars come in red-hot, winners of five straight games themselves before their bye week last week.