After just one season and six game appearances, Byron Young has been cut. Despite an open competition at defensive tackle last season, the third round rookie barely saw the field. And now he’s been cut in favor of seventh rounders Nesta Jade Silvera and waiver claim Jonah Laulu.
Young admitted during camp that he had an attitude problem as a rookie last year. That he thought being a third round pick, he earned certain things and was angry he wasn’t given the benefit of the doubt. It’s admirable that he admitted that, but he’s still got to perform better. And from all indications, he didn’t.
He got pushed around all preseason, leading head coach Antonio Pierce to openly criticize the team’s defensive interior. Something had to give. And it was Young who gave…up his spot on the roster.
There is, of course, still a chance the Raiders could bring him back onto the practice squad. Just as they did when they cut 5th round DT Matthew Butler last year. But as of now, he’s out and has to work to prove he belongs on an NFL roster again.