Byron Young Named Biggest Surprise Of OTAs By ESPN

The Los Angeles Rams are excited about the potential of their defensive line this season, with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Byron Young among the key players returning.

The Rams selected Young with the 77th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and he immediately made an impact as a rookie, finishing with eight sacks.

Young had another productive campaign in 2024 and now could be poised for perhaps his best year yet as he enters his third season with the Rams.

In fact, ESPN named Young as the biggest surprise in OTAs for the Rams heading into the 2025 season:

The 2023 third-round pick has had two strong seasons, amassing 15.5 sacks in his NFL career. But despite that success, outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio said he has noticed how “intentional” Young has been going into his third season. Coniglio said he challenged Young to continue to work on his “consistency,” because “when he’s at his best, it’s a lot of fun to watch.”

“I think he’s going to take another step forward in regards to his game, his ability to affect games, his ability to disrupt offenses and be the player that he’s capable of being,” Coniglio said. — Sarah Barshop

Young might not get the same amount of attention as Verse and Fiske, but he has quietly established himself as one of the best young pass rushers since entering the league two years ago.

Young has recorded 15.5 sacks, 20 tackles for losses and 32 quarterback hits in 34 career NFL games (32 starts), and once again should benefit from a plethora of one-on-one opportunities due to the presence of Verse on the other side of the Rams defensive line.

Josaiah Stewart open to any role with Rams

Rookie outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart will also be a key contributor this season and said he is open to any role with the Rams if it helps them win games.

“One thing (I learned at Michigan) for sure I would say is just knowing your role,” Young said. “I mean, coming in from Coastal (Carolina), from being the guy, from being the pass rusher, All-American, record sack leader, to coming to Michigan and being a role player and a rotational guy taught me a lot, man.

“It taught me what it means to win and what you got to do to play a role and win, man. I’m all about winning, so I’ll do whatever it takes.”