Chase Young turning pressures to sacks is the Saints' pass rush X-Factor

The definition of an X factor “is a variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.” The New Orleans Saints are looking for Chase Young to be an impact player on the defense and his ability to finish at the quarterback is the X-factor that will determine that.

The Saints have full belief that Young is capable of playing at a high level after extending him for 3 more years. The Saints are also in full belief with their entire personnel at the edge rush position, which is why they were not aggressive this offseason.

The Saints also brought in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley to give this defense a completely different scenery.  Staley has worked with the likes of Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa. Although Young hasn't produced up to their caliber, coach Staley has the tools to develop him into a very good player.

Chase Young was a high pressure, low sack player

Nothing is more valuable than sacks, and Young only finished with 5.5 sacks last season. He did, however, record 73  pressures per Next Gen Stats.  The Saints need for Young to convert more of those pressures into sacks. The pressures show he can get to the quarterback, but that's not enough.

Pressures impact the pass, but you can still complete a pass in the face of pressure or sidestep a hurry. Sacks push back the offense and remove the chance of a completion. With no new talent being added, everyone will need to step up from last year. Young's ability to finish at the quarterback is the trait that could provide the biggest boost.

The Saints' defensive shift will allow Young to play in more space and maximize his ability to get after the quarterback.  Young has the perfect physical tools to create disruption in that area. The final piece of the puzzle is finishing.

If Young turns his pressures into sacks, it changes how the Saints pass rush is viewed

There's no respect for the Saints pass rush, and with only 39 sacks last year, they haven't earned respect. Young is the clear top guy in the unit, so the responsibility to lift the total falls on him. While it's easy to lose faith due to the 5.5 sacks, the pressure totals show you what's possible.

Imagine he turned just 5 more of those pressures into sacks. Now the Saints have a double digit sack artist on their team. The team leaps into the forties in team sacks. The factors wouldn't make the Saints an elite pass rush unit, but it would change the view of the room.