Byron Young is quietly having an excellent rookie season for the Los Angeles Rams. The former Tennessee Vols standout leads all NFL rookies with 6 sacks on the season.
However, if you're looking at defensive rookie of the year odds, you'd think the young defender hadn't made any kind of impact so far.
The NFL defensive rookie of the year odds have been updated, and the former Vol is far from the top of the list of candidates. Per VegasInsider.com, Young is either not listed among the various books as a candidate or has extremely long odds. DraftKings Sportsbook, for example, has Young listed as tied for 14th among all candidates at +15000, or 150 to 1.
That's surprisingly long odds for the NFL rookie sack leader. While analytics have improved in recent years and more finely scrutinized stats have emerged rather than sacks, there's little doubt that the money maker for pass rushers and what earns them Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors is still largely sacks, and Young is currently on top there.
There's also the effect of draft position. Leading defensive rookie of the year candidates Will Anderson, Devon Witherspoon, and Jalen Carter were all high first round picks. There's a perception when you draft a player that high that they are impact players, and when they live up to that expectation quickly, then they get that much more of the benefit of the doubt that they are indeed a star.
And, to be clear, Anderson, Witherspoon, and Carter have all been very good this season. All are worthy of consideration for defensive rookie of the year honors. However, Young deserves to have his name higher on the list.
Young was drafted two rounds later in the third round with the 77th overall pick, so he didn't have that same perception coming into his rookie season. However, there's little doubt that he's made the Rams look smart by taking him on the draft's second day. He never was going to get the love that Witherspoon, Anderson, or Carter would by becoming a quick success, but he's still managed to surpass every other rookie in a category that's been a measuring stick for defenders in the NFL for years.
Ultimately, the Rams got one of the best edge rushers in the draft in Young, whether or not the oddsmakers and voters choose to give him his due.
More must-reads: