Commanders trading DE Chase Young to 49ers for 2024 third-round pick

On the heels of a three-game losing streak, the San Francisco 49ers aren't regrouping -- they're reloading.

The 49ers are acquiring 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, per sources.

This is the second year in a row 49ers general manager John Lynch has pulled off a massive trade ahead of the deadline. Last season, San Francisco acquired running back Christian McCaffrey, who's been a boon for the Niners. They're hoping the same fortune will be had with the acquisition of Young.

For the Commanders, it's the second big deal and massive loss from their defensive front – long viewed as the strength of the team – on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Washington sent Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick. It's arguable that Young is the bigger get for a cheaper price, but Lynch made it happen.

Much as McCaffrey's acquisition had Niners fans salivating at the prospects of the 49ers' star-laden offense operating with CMC added into the mix, the San Francisco faithful can do the same thinking about how well Young will bolster the Niners' defensive front. Young, the 2020 NFL Draft No. 2 overall pick, portends to line up opposite 2019 No. 2 pick Nick Bosa in what would have been a fantasy lineup only a few years ago. The stacked front also includes Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead, complementing a defense that has struggled as of late, but is still the No. 5 total defense in the NFL.

Bosa has just three sacks, but he's still impacting games as his 41 QB pressures (fourth in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats) attest to.
Nonetheless, the 49ers allowed a season-high 31 points to the Cincinnati