Rams outside linebacker Byron Young made the leap from a productive starter to a high-impact player in his third NFL season. Young improved both his pass rush and run stopping productivity in 2025, leading to his first Pro Bowl selection.
Stats
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference except pressures and stops, which are courtesy of Pro Football Focus (PFF).
^team high, *career-high, +league-high at position.
| Season | Sacks | Pressures | QB Hits | Stops | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8.0 | 51 | 19 | 33 | 61 |
| 2024 | 7.5 | 54 | 13 | 32 | 62 |
| 2025 | 12.0^* | 64* | 29^* | 47*+ | 82*+ |
Improvements: Bend, versatility and finishing plays
In the offseason, Young credited some of his physical development to pilates. Even during training camp, Young said he felt a difference in his bend and stability. That translated on Sundays, as Young saw an uptick in production in every major statistical category.
The flexibility and stamina that he gained through his offseason work increased the effectiveness of his pass rush moves and ability to stop the run. He led all edge rushers in stops (a tackle leading to a negative play for the offense) and total tackles as a result. Even as Young dealt with a knee injury during the season, he excelled at winning his matchups quickly and finishing plays at a high rate in both the run and pass phase.
In 2024, he caused a lot of disruption, but didn't make as many plays out of those positive reps. This season, Young's pressure-to-sack ratio and stop rate both skyrocketed.
Young registered at least 0.5 sacks in each of the Rams' first seven games, even leading the league in the statistic at one point. That stretch included a two-sack game against the Titans in Week 2, which included a crucial strip-sack that turned the tide for Los Angeles.
"My mindset then was just to be relentless, to keep going," Young said. "I knew like those type of plays, hustle plays, (are) plays that you just got to keep going. You got to keep the motor going regardless of (if) you get chipped, you get double-teamed."
The improvement was clear and immediate, but not surprising to his running mate, outside linebacker Jared Verse.
"I don't know why people (are) surprised BY's dominating," Verse said. "You give him the chance to just go win, which we've been giving him that chance, that's exactly what's gonna happen."
