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Pro Football Focus shared its list of the top 10 candidates to earn their first All-Pro selection in 2026 earlier this spring. Among those featured was New Orleans Saints edge rusher Chase Young, who is coming off a career season after recording 10 sacks in just 12 games.
Young and the Saints agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal in 2025 following a promising first season with the team. While some questioned the investment after he finished with just 5.5 sacks, New Orleans believed his consistent pressure would eventually translate into greater sack production. Young rewarded that faith by delivering the best season of his career and establishing himself as the Saints' premier edge rusher.
In his first season under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, Young took his game to another level, nearly averaging a sack per game in his second year with the Saints. Talent has never been the question with Young. Instead, the concerns have centered around his durability and whether he could consistently turn pressures into sacks. In 2026, he answered those questions by putting together the most productive season of his career.
That now begs the question: What would it take for Young to earn All-Pro honors?
Looking back at last season, the first-team All-Pro edge rushers were Myles Garrett (23 sacks), Micah Parsons (12.5 sacks), and Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks). While matching Garrett's incredible 23-sack campaign is unrealistic, reaching the 12 to 15 sack range is certainly attainable for Young if he can appear in all 17 games. Based on the pace he was on before missing time, he likely would've reached or surpassed that mark had he played a full season.
Team success also plays a major role. Giants edge rusher Brian Burns recorded an impressive 16.5 sacks, yet New York's four-win season likely played a role in him landing on the Second Team. If the Saints can contend for a playoff spot while Young produces 12 or more sacks, he'll have a legitimate chance to earn the first All-Pro selection of his career.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Chase Young makes PFF All-Pro watch list after breakout Saints season
