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Two Washington Rookies Make the PFF All-Rookie Team

PFF just released its All-Pro and All-Rookie rosters for the 2020 season, and three Washington players find themselves on those lists.

First is Brandon Scherff, who has played like one of the better guards in the league all year in a season where he managed to avoid major injuries, which have hampered him in the past. For his efforts, he was rewarded with the second team right guard spot by PFF, behind Cleveland Brown Wyatt Teller.

But, more importantly, a pair of Washington rookies made the All-Rookie squad. The obvious one is Chase Young, who has had a monster of a season with the Burgundy and Gold. Here is what PFF had to say about him:

Young’s overall pass-rushing numbers aren’t going to jump off the page at you, but it’s impossible to deny the high-end plays he has put on tape against both the run and as a pass-rusher in his first year. He leads all rookies in sacks (7.5), forced fumbles (five) and tackles for loss or no gain against the run (11). His 87.2 overall grade on the season sits behind only 2011 Aldon Smith, 2011 Von Miller and 2019 Nick Bosa when looking at every rookie edge defender seasons over the past decade.

He is likely the most talented defensive lineman on what has emerged as one of the best defensive lines in the NFL this season. If Young does walk away with the defensive rookie of the year award, it will be well deserved

Meanwhile, the other Washington rookie to win the award is none other than safety Kam Curl, the first of Washington's seventh round selections. This is probably the more impressive accolade, as Curl beat out the likes of second rounder and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Jeremy Chinn for the spot.

After finding himself on this team, it’s safe to say that Curl exceeded expectations in his rookie season as a seventh-round pick out of Arkansas. Curl will actually finish the 2020 regular season as PFF’s highest-graded rookie safety at 68.0 overall across 763 defensive snaps after starting every game at safety for Washington since Week 9.

Curl played at least 150 snaps in the box, in the slot and at free safety for the Football Team as a rookie, and he made key tackles throughout the season for Washington. His 19 run stops were more than any other rookie safety this season, as were his 16 stops in coverage.

The defensive line gets all the headlines in Washington, but Curl is part of a back seven that has quietly played very well for much of the season.

This is an impressive set of achievements from Washington's young players. With talent such as this, the future is looking bright. Here's to hoping they (and others) build on their success this season in 2021 and beyond. As for this postseason, Chase Young made it clear that he's not going to be intimidated by facing off against a guy who got drafted when he was just a year old. "I want Tom!" he said. And to be honest, I expect Young to get him.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.