ESPN makes huge offseason contract prediction for former Tennessee Vols standout Byron Young

The former Tennessee Vols standout is in line for a contract extension this offseason.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Former Tennessee Vols EDGE Byron Young was one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Young, who played at Tennessee from 2021 to 2022, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the the third round of the draft.

The former Vol has quickly developed into one of the top young pass rushers in the NFL, totaling 27.5 sacks and 205 tackles over his first three seasons as a pro.

As a result, Young is line for a massive contract extension this offseason.

ESPN predicts Byron Young will receive a big payday this offseason

While Young is eligible for an extension this offseason, there’s no guarantee that he’ll come to an agreement with the Rams.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano, however, predicted this week that Los Angeles will get a deal done with Young this offseason.

Graziano predicts that Young will receive a four year deal worth $145 million with $72 million guaranteed at signing.

In fairness to Graziano, he pointed out that Young’s contract situation could de dependent on other factors, such as whether superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua receives an extension from the Rams this offseason (in which case the Rams could choose to use the franchise tag on Young in 2027).

“Young’s case might be complicated by the fact that Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, the Rams’ first- and second-round picks from the 2024 draft, will be extension-eligible next offseason,” wrote Graziano. “The team might have to make some decisions about which of its stellar young defensive front-seven players it can and can’t extend. I’ll make a prediction for Young — who is coming off a 12-sack season — but I cannot rule out the possibility that he ends up getting his extension from a different team.

“The people in the Rams’ front office are extremely good at what they do, and I don’t doubt their ability to keep the gang together if they want. But the salary cap makes roster-building an exercise in resource allocation, and teams generally don’t like to commit too much to any one position group at the expense of the others.”

While we don’t know exactly how this contract situation will play out for Young, one thing seems certain — the former Vol is going to have a lot of money coming his way from someone in the next year or two.

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