7 winners and 5 losers in Rams 2nd consecutive win over tumbling 49ers

7 of 11

(5) - Winner: OLB Byron Young

Second-year outside linebacker Byron Young is having a sneakily successful season. In his first three games, he has put up 10 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 2.0 quarterback sacks, one quarterback hurry, four QB pressures, one one strip sack. He has even dropped back into coverage, allowing just one of two passes thrown to his receiver to find the mark.

Young is one of the players who needs to step into a larger role on this defense, and so far that is exactly what he is doing:

Really impressed with @byron_97 so far this season. He told me this spring he felt like he had games last year where he needed to close out and didn't come through, which led to him making that his No. 1 goal for this season.

Week 3 showed he's on his way to accomplishing that https://t.co/UakcVFjSHa
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 24, 2024

While he is only matching his rookie production so far, keep in mind that he is keeping pace with his 2024 level of production while arguably facing a far better group of offensive lines. And he is no longer benefitting from the 'Aaron Donald effect.'

I am convinced that we have yet to see OLB Byron Young's 'breakout' game. So far, his performance has been measured success, a young player simply building a better foundation of work. But a some point this season, he is going to face a struggling offensive tackle. When that happens, I could see him racking up 3.0+ quarterback sacks.

When will that happen? Week 4 or 5 appear to be fantastic opportunities for the Rams edge rusher to make a statement.

Home/Rams News