10 NFL records in danger of being broken this year

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 29: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints talks to Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers after their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

10. Chase Young – Most Sacks by a Rookie

Current Record Holder: Jevon Kearse (14.5), 1999

Because of an embattled culture, owner, and season outlook, Chase Young’s pursuit of the NFL sack record by a rookie player may be the most optimistic storyline of the Washington Football Team’s season. Although, a new head coach, Ron Rivera, is now in charge and could bring stability back to the franchise.

Former Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse freakishly holds the rookie sack record through 2019 (it should also be mentioned that sacks were not formally tabulated by the NFL until 1982). In that 1999 campaign, Kearse did three remarkable things.

First, he was an All-Pro selection as a rookie. It would be the only time amid his 11-year career that he would receive the honor. Next, his team fell just short of a Super Bowl victory — the Rams squeaked by the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. And then, of course, he logged the rookie sack record.

Washington’s Chase Young has the physical toolkit to vaporize Kearse’s rookie mark. In many previous drafts, Young would have been the undisputed first-overall pick, but quarterback Joe Burrow had too much zest attached to his resumé for the Cincinnati Bengals to ignore.

Washington has two quarterbacks on its roster in second-year man Dwayne Haskins and their personal Lazarus, Alex Smith. Therefore, they opted against Joe Burrow’s lofty college accolades in favor of Chase Young.

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