Byron Young finally earning recognition Rams fans knew he deserved all along

Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Byron Young is just now getting the recognition he deserves. He has already come a long way making skeptics look silly. The 77th pick in the 2023 draft, he received a 6.25 overall prospect grade in the 'eventual average starter' category.

Despite putting up consecutive double-digit sack totals at Tennessee, he fell all the way to the Rams in the third round. At 25 years old, having begun his college career at Georgia Military, he just wasn't appealing to most teams. 

Suffice to say that Young has paid off the Rams' investment. In 2025, he led the team in sacks with 12, tied for eighth in the NFL. He was Pro Football Focus' ninth-graded edge rusher. And he just made his debut on the league's Top 100 list, clocking in at 84th. 

Only 84th? That's a little low. He didn't just 'get good' last season. He was a budding star the moment he set foot in the NFL. It's at least a start, though, at giving Young the props he has earned.

Young is leaving the league no choice but to acknowledge him

Back in 2023, Young finished only eighth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, despite amassing eight sacks, eight tackles for loss, and forcing two fumbles while starting all but one game.

He followed up with a solid sophomore campaign that seemingly slipped completely under the radar. In Year 3, Young finally won himself some recognition. Funny how cracking the double-digit sack mark gets people's attention.

To be clear, 2025 was indeed a career year. Young set personal highs across the board and made his first Pro Bowl. Per PFF, he ranked No. 1 among edge defenders in solo and total tackles, No.1 in stops, seventh in sacks, fifth in quarterback hits, and 13th in total pressures. His name became one fans recognized. Just how elite he really was once again went underappreciated.

His place on the Top 100 list, exclusively voted on by players, reflects his rising stock. The fact that he's all the way down at No. 84 reflects that the league itself still has some catching up to do. 

This season, Young has an even bigger opportunity. On the one hand, playing alongside Myles Garrett could overshadow his own performance. On the other, it will only spike his numbers because of all the attention and bodies opposing offensive lines will throw at Garrett. 

On top of that, Young is entering a contract year, which - surprise, surprise - is often when players put up the best seasons of their careers. He's not going to lead the team in sacks - not with a healthy Garrett - but he can certainly exceed a dozen. 

Young is at last getting the flowers Rams fans have been sending him in bouquets, and he's about to go full bloom. 

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