Raiders double-down on key position with DL Byron Young
The Las Vegas Raiders really needed to upgrade their pass rush. Mainly because it was a lackluster unit in 2022, but in terms of the big picture, there are veterans that will start getting phased out, eventually. A big part of that phase-out will come in the form of two of the Raiders' 2023 draft […]
The Las Vegas Raiders really needed to upgrade their pass rush. Mainly because it was a lackluster unit in 2022, but in terms of the big picture, there are veterans that will start getting phased out, eventually.
A big part of that phase-out will come in the form of two of the Raiders' 2023 draft picks: Tyree Wilson and the latest pick, DT Byron Young at No. 70 overall.
Wilson's selection puts Pro Bowler Chandler Jones on alert, while Young's selection puts both Andrew Billings and Jerry Tillery on alert. That's no disrespect to any of the vets, it's just how life in the NFL goes. Top draft picks eventually replace aging veterans (especially expensive ones like Chandler) in the circle of life.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote up the following scouting report regarding Young's prospects:
A four-year starter at Alabama, Young was a defensive end in head coach Nick Saban’s 3-4 base scheme, shifting from the edge, to inside the tackle and down to a tilted nose position. He made noticeable improvements as a senior and posted the same number of pressures (28) in 2022 as his first three seasons combined. A smart, assignment-sound run defender, Young is quick to read blocks and put himself in a leveraged position to make plays from different alignments. He has the technical know-how to free himself as a rusher, but his secondary rush and finishing skills are subpar. Young doesn’t play with desired explosiveness or mass, but he can break down the rhythm of blockers with his length, awareness and skill. He is scheme-diverse and will provide immediate depth as an NFL rotational player.
Young will be able to develop in a rotation in 2023 with a major opportunity to take a starting role in 2024. At worst, he can help the Raiders' porous run defense from a year ago.
