The Los Angeles Rams have received plaudits for rebuilding their defense over the past few offseasons, and third-year linebacker Byron Young is a testament to that. He could also be in line for a breakout season.
Young has started all but two games since his arrival, though he has yet to miss a contest in his career.
ESPN’s Sarah Barshop believes Young could make a “serious impact” this coming season.
“The 2023 third-round pick has had two strong seasons, amassing 15.5 sacks in his NFL career,” Barshop wrote on June 30. “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, per Barshop.
Young has racked up 15.5 sacks in two seasons with the Rams, but took a step back in that regard last season.
Byron Young Overshadowed by Young Rams Teammates
GettyByron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams before the game against the Buffalo Bills.
Young could have difficulty reaching another level as a pass rusher for the Rams next season, albeit through no real fault of his own.
Teammates Braden Fiske (8.5 sacks) and Jared Verse (4.5 sacks), who is the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, figure to be improved this season. Defensive lineman Kobie Turner (8.0 sacks) is also a factor.
Young finished the season behind only Verse in pressures, per Pro Football Reference.
Pro Football Focus graded Young third behind Verse and Fiske in pass rushing grade among the members of the Rams’ front seven who logged at least 700 snaps last season.
If there is an area Young could stand to improve in, it is run defense, where he graded out better than only Fiske among that same subset of players. As a team, the Rams ranked 22nd against the run in 2024, so they need improvement from more than just Young next season.
Byron Young Could Capitalize on Breakout Season
GettyByron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a sack against the Detroit Lions.
Young garnered some votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, and the Rams pass rusher could make great use of a breakout campaign in 2025.
He is entering Year 2 of a four-year, $5.5 million contract with the Rams and will be extension-eligible next offseason. Young is unlikely to command top dollar with one breakout season, but he could still receive a significant raise.
Byron Young had 9 sacks last season (including playoffs). BY is an underrated piece to the defensive front.
With the loss of M. Hoecht, I expect BY to take another step up in year 3. The Rams DLine/Edge unit are young but ultra talented and growing together. A tough front! pic.twitter.com/mUeTgXPgKg
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) April 3, 2025
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper inked a four-year, $54 million contract in November 2024 with 13.0 career sacks over his first two seasons.
Cooper posted 10.5 sacks, second on the Broncos, in 2024.
However, he had to wait until Year 4 and logged 5.5 of those before the calendar turned from October. Perhaps a similar step up in production from Young in 2025 will be enough to warrant earlier contract extension consideration from the Rams.
