Report: Chase Young Had 'Very Positive' Conversation with Redskins' Ron Rivera

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young reportedly had a "very positive" conversation with Washington coach Ron Rivera, setting the stage for him to be taken with the No. 2 overall selection Thursday night.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Young was not given a guarantee on the call, but "the stage appears set" for Washington to select Young—a move that has been expected for months. With the Cincinnati Bengals locked in on Joe Burrow and Young being slotted for Washington, there has been an expectation that the "real draft" begins at No. 3 with the Detroit Lions.

Young is considered the most surefire future star in this class. He's coming off a brilliant career at Ohio State, where he racked up 98 tackles and 30.5 sacks over three seasons. Despite missing two games due to an NCAA suspension, Young was a unanimous All-American, won nearly every national Defensive Player of the Year award and was the first defensive player invited to the Heisman ceremony since Jabrill Peppers in 2016.

Playing for Washington would also represent a homecoming for Young, who grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 

"It would definitely be an honor to play at home," Young said, per Scott Abraham of ABC7. "Not a lot of people get the opportunity to play for their hometown football team. God-willing He gives me the chance to do it. Like any team I'd go to, I'm going to be the best player I can be. It would definitely be a great experience closer to home. It would definitely be real good."

This is about as close to a no-brainer as a pick can get. Young should instantly flourish under Ron Rivera, a defensive-minded coach who spent nearly a decade developing several defensive stars in Carolina. It'd be a major shock if Washington went in any other direction here.