Former Tennessee Vol helped the Rams deliver the best defensive performance of the playoffs on Monday night
The Los Angeles Rams are starting to peak at the right time on the defensive side of the ball, and it was never more evident than on Monday night during their 27-9 handling of the Minnesota Vikings in the final Wild Card matchup. Los Angeles rolled up an astounding nine sacks of Vikings QB Sam […]
The Los Angeles Rams are starting to peak at the right time on the defensive side of the ball, and it was never more evident than on Monday night during their 27-9 handling of the Minnesota Vikings in the final Wild Card matchup.
Los Angeles rolled up an astounding nine sacks of Vikings QB Sam Darnold, and a former Tennessee Vol had a hand in the Rams' harassment of the Minnesota backfield all game long.
OLB Byron Young had himself a game to remember. The ex-Vol totaled 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks for the game.
Young, who appeared in 24 games for the Vols from 2021-22, also led the team on Monday with 8 total pressures – 6 QB hurries to go with his 2 sacks. His 77.3 Pro Football Focus Grade was the second highest among the Rams' front seven defenders. He also had a staggering 23.5% pressure rate on 34 pass rushing snaps, against the Vikings, second highest on the team.
A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young has developed into a steady presence off the edge for the Rams through two seasons. He's proven to be adept at pressuring opposing quarterbacks, as evidenced by his 12.7% pressure rate this season across 408 pass rushing snaps in 2024 with 15.5 total sacks over his first two seasons.
Now, with 2024 first round pick edge rusher Jared Verse opposite him with second round lineman Braden Fiske in between, teams can't give extra attention to try to slow down the former Vol off the edge, and that should only help Young continue to see and capitalize on more one-on-one opportunities moving forward.
We'll see if Young and his teammates can continue their hot streak next weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
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