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Byron Young has ‘no doubt’ about who should win Defensive Rookie of the Year

In an exclusive interview with Rams Wire, Byron Young leaves no doubt about who should win Defensive Rookie of the Year

It’s been a special year for the Los Angeles Rams’ rookie class, led by Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Puka Nacua and Steve Avila. They’ve all been key contributors in Year 1, with Turner and Young being candidates to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Nacua in contention for the award on the offensive side of the ball.

Turner and Young have been the best rookie pass-rushing tandem in the NFL this season, recording nine and eight sacks, respectively. While both would be good choices for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Young has no doubt about who should win the award.

In an interview with Rams Wire on behalf of Dollar General, where he worked as an assistant manager before playing football at Tennessee, Young endorsed Turner by saying there’s “no doubt” he should win it over himself and every other candidate, including frontrunners, Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr.

Young also feels that he and Turner both got overlooked this year as third-round picks compared to first-rounders like Carter and Anderson.

“For sure. I think we’re definitely overlooked,” Young said. “Kobie Turner should definitely win Defensive Rookie of the Year. No doubt. But that’s how it goes sometimes, you know, popularity. That’s kind of how it is. Feel like we’re both being overlooked all season. Kobie Turner, hands down, should win it. The guy, every day coming into work. You see him during games. I’m talking about, he’s a closer. He closed the game out. That’s just what he does. Just watching him do it, I’m proud of him. Hopefully the right person gets the award: Kobie Turner. I’m praying they make the right decision.”

A lot of the attention has been on Turner in recent weeks, but Young has had an awesome rookie year himself. He has eight sacks, eight tackles for a loss, 19 QB hits and 61 total tackles – impressive numbers, particularly for a third-round rookie. He also won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Week for his performance against the Cardinals in Week 6 when he had a sack and forced fumble.

He may not win Defensive Rookie of the Year this season, but the Rams certainly landed a stud in Round 3 of the draft.

Byron Young by the numbers against 49ers

Byron Young by the numbers against the 49ers.

Los Angeles (10-7) defeated San Francisco (12-5), 21-20, Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California during Week 18.

Former Vol Byron Young recorded one tackle, one sack and one tackle for a loss for the Rams.

Young recorded 61 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during his rookie regular-season in 2023.

He played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College. The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft (No. 77 overall).

The Rams and Young will play at Detroit in the NFL playoff wild card round on Sunday (8:15 p.m. EST, NBC).

How Rams rookies Kobie Turner and Byron Young are crushing enemy quarterbacks

The Rams’ underrated defense is led by two rookies — edge-rusher Byron Young, and interior force Kobie Turner. Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar explain.

For a franchise that has leaned toward an “F Them Picks” philosophy in recent years, the Los Angeles Rams are certainly doing a fine job getting their draft selections on the field at a ridiculous rate of value in the 2023 season. Fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua is on pace to shatter several rookie records, and second-round guard Steve Avila has allowed just two sacks and 31 total pressure this season. Outside of Nacua and Avila, the Rams’ two most impressive rookies have been edge-rusher Byron Young from Tennessee, and defensive lineman Kobie Turner from Wake Forest.

Only Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans and Tuli Tuipulotu of the Los Angeles Chargers have more total pressures among edge defenders than Young’s 46 (seven sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 25 quarterback hurries), and no rookie interior defensive lineman has more pressures than Turner’s 45 (11 sacks, five quarterback hits, 29 quarterback hurries). Even Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles, thought by many to be this year’s “Annual Generational” defensive prospect, hasn’t disrupted quarterbacks at Turner’s rate.

Not bad for a couple of second-round under the radar guys.

“Didn’t know about the sack totals,” defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said on Thursday of his two first-year stars. “I just kind of go about the deal and they’ve really gotten better watching those guys go since they’ve been here. They came in young rookies. Kobie came in, super smart, super intelligent with an unbelievable motor. Byron just coming in really showing us stuff right off the bat with some explosiveness — being just a violent rusher, and he’s really developed some of his tools to get even better and now developing as a dropper as well, being at the outside backer position. They have been so much fun to work with and be around. I couldn’t be happier with the two young guys.”

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Young often gets his sacks and disruptions in space and with second effort. Against the New York Giants last week, Young was faced with a six-OL set, and guard Mark Glowinski motioning to his side. Young outlasted Glowinnki to the edge, and took quarterback Tyrod Taylor down.

In Turner’s case, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound powerhouse gets it done in the pit with great leverage, nasty hand technique, and some terrifying tackle/tackle stunts with that Aaron Donald guy, who’s still pretty good. Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco found himself on the wrong end of that concept for a safety in Week 13. These are not the gentlemen you want to see coming at you from either side, and this will continue when the Rams hit the postseason.

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys detail what Young and Turner bring to the table, and how they’re leading the charge for an underrated Rams defense. You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

Byron Young by the numbers against New Orleans

Former Vol Byron Young by the numbers against New Orleans.

Los Angeles (8-7) defeated New Orleans (7-8), 30-22, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California during Week 16.

Former Vol and rookie Byron Young started at outside linebacker for the Rams. He totaled one tackle against the Saints.

He has recorded 56 tackles and six sacks during his rookie season for Los Angeles.

Young played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College. The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft (No. 77 overall).

Los Angeles will next play on Dec. 31 against the Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff between the Rams and Giants is slated for 1 p.m. EST.

Byron Young by the numbers against Washington

Former Vol Byron Young by the numbers against Washington.

Los Angeles (7-7) defeated Washington, 28-20, Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California during Week 15.

Former Vol Byron Young started at outside linebacker for the Rams, recording three tackles.

He has recorded 55 tackles and six sacks during his rookie season for Los Angeles.

Young played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College. The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft (No. 77 overall).

Los Angeles will next play on Thursday versus New Orleans. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Byron Young by the numbers against Baltimore

Former Vol Byron Young by the numbers against Baltimore.

Baltimore (10-3) defeated Los Angeles (6-7), 37-31, Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland during Week 14.

Former Vol Byron Young started at outside linebacker for the Rams. He recorded two tackles and one sack for the Rams.

Young has recorded 52 tackles and six sacks during his rookie season for Los Angeles.

Young played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College. The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft (No. 77 overall).

Los Angeles will next play on Sunday versus Washington. Kickoff is slated for 4:05 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Rams injury report: Tyler Higbee doubtful, 3 others questionable vs. Ravens

The Rams are unlikely to have Tyler Higbee on Sunday, while Byron Young and 3 others are also questionable against the Ravens

The Los Angeles Rams have some injury concerns heading into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Sean McVay told reporters on Friday that Tyler Higbee is doubtful to play this weekend due to a neck injury suffered in the Rams’ win over the Browns.

Byron Young, Michael Hoecht and Quentin Lake will all be questionable due to the injuries they’re currently dealing with; Young and Hoecht have knee injuries, while Lake is recovering from a hamstring injury.

McVay did say that “unless there’s a setback,” he thinks Young and Hoecht will both be “good to go” for Sunday’s contest. That’s good news for the Rams because Hoecht and Young are their two primary edge rushers and play the majority of the snaps.

As for the Ravens, Rashod Bateman, Justin Madubuike and Lamar Jackson are all good to go and will not carry injury designations into Sunday’s game. They each had a day where they either missed practice or were limited, but they were all full participants Friday.

Byron Young by the numbers against Cleveland

Former Vol Byron Young by the numbers against Cleveland.

Los Angeles (6-6) defeated Cleveland (7-5), 36-19, Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California during Week 13.

Former Vol Byron Young started at outside linebacker for the Rams. He recorded five tackles and one tackle for a loss.

Young has recorded 50 tackles and five sacks during his rookie season for Los Angeles.

Young played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College.

The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft (No. 77 overall).

Los Angeles will next play on Sunday at Baltimore. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. EST at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Byron Young by the numbers against Arizona

Former Vol Byron Young by the numbers against Arizona.

The Los Angeles (5-6) defeated Arizona (2-10), 37-14, Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Former Vol and rookie Byron Young started at outside linebacker for the Rams. He totaled two tackles and one tackle for a loss against the Cardinals.

Young has recorded 45 tackles and five sacks for Los Angeles.

Young played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College.

The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft (No. 77 overall).

Los Angeles will next play on Sunday against Cleveland. Kickoff is slated for 4:25 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Rams’ young defense shows out in 2nd half of win vs. Seahawks in Week 11

The Rams’ young defense was able to shut down the Seahawks offense in the 2nd half of Sunday’s win.

The Los Angeles Rams escaped with a 17-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11, and most of the attention should be on the defensive unit. After facing a 13-7 deficit at halftime on Sunday, the young defense of the Rams shut down the Seahawks offense in the second half.

According to rbsdm.com, the Rams had the third-best EPA per play (-0.426) and the best success rate (20.7%) among defenses in the second half of contests this week. In the first half versus the Seahawks, the Rams were dead last in EPA per play (0.282) among the teams who have played this week, and they had the 13th-best success rate (47.1%).

With another come-from-behind win over the Seahawks, the Rams have now outscored their divisional foes 33-3 in the second half of their two meetings this season. This is a credit to Raheem Morris for making the necessary adjustments at halftime and to the players for stepping up their play in the final two quarters.

The defense has been far from perfect this season, allowing 22 points per game (13th-most in the NFL) and recording only 21 sacks (tied for the eighth-fewest in the NFL). But it is a positive sign to see a young defense like the Rams show signs of being a cohesive unit at times.

Aside from Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones making plays, we saw some of the younger players on the Rams step up in the second half. Kobie Turner and Byron Young were generating pressure on Geno Smith and Drew Lock, Derion Kendrick had a game-changing interception after a rough first half, and Quentin Lake continued to excel as the slot cornerback.

If the Rams want to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs, Sunday’s game against the Seahawks was a must-win. And for a Rams team that has Matthew Stafford starting at quarterback, it was the defense that did the heavy lifting to help secure a victory in Week 11.