Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner are getting a ton of attention and praise on the Rams' defensive line, and for good reason. They are crucial attacking figures, but Byron Young is a player not to be forgotten.
Since entering the game as a third-round rookie in 2023, he has only made plays for the Rams. According to Pro Football Focus, he had a total of 84 pressures over the last two years, and before Sunday's win against the Saints, he had played nine straight games with at least three pressures.
Not only does he sack the quarterback, but he also finds ways to create turnovers by generating pressure off the edge. In fact, he's better at it than any other player in the NFL.
According to Next Gen Stats, Young is the only player in the league who has forced at least five turnovers due to pressure this season. TJ Watt and Danielle Hunter are tied for second with four players, five other players (including Verse) have three.
Byron Young is the only player to force 5️⃣ turnovers through pressure this season 🐏
Players causing 4️⃣ TOs through pressure:
– TJ Watts
– Danielle HunterPlayers causing 3️⃣ TOs through pressure:
–Greg Rousseau
–Alex Highsmith
– Jared verse
– Jadeveon Clowney
-…— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB)
It was Verse's pressure against the Packers that led to a pick-six from Jaylen McCollough. He also forced a fumble against the 49ers, which Braden Fiske recovered, giving the Rams the victory over their rivals.
He had three more presses that also resulted in interceptions, giving him five turnovers caused by pressing this year.
Young's 34 total pressures rank fourth on the team, and his six sacks are the most of any Rams player this year – after ranking second on the team with eight sacks a year ago.
Young may not get the attention that Verse and Fiske do, but his impact on the Rams defense shouldn't be ignored. He has been one of the main reasons for their success this season, as evidenced by the five turnovers he scored.
