Rams select Byron Young (OLB) with the 77th pick.

[Flatlyner]

Wasn't a huge fan of this picking initially when it was announced but, after going full dive into this guy, I'm quite excited by his potential. Could be one of the most athletic edges in the draft. Some tutelage from our coached and the legendary AD, this kid could bring some heat off the edge. Love it.

 

[RocknRam29]

View: https://twitter.com/HoldenCantor/status/1652335301597986817

 

[Ramrocket]

What exactly are you expecting from a 3rd round pick? I mean, I'd love for him to be the steal of the draft but let's be realistic. And I don't think that's a low bar at all. What exactly do you think Ebukam was, dude was a solid backup that was a good run defender and provided a steadily increased amount of sacks over time. Hey, I hope he's better but a guy that raw turning into the production of Ebukam over the years he was with us is what eventually builds a playoff team.

I think you misunderstood me. I like the pick. I just think we should hope for more production than what Ebukam gave us. IMO he was average to less than average. On top of that, he went to the Niners after he left us so he drops even further in my eyes.

 

[Mackeyser]

What exactly are you expecting from a 3rd round pick? I mean, I'd love for him to be the steal of the draft but let's be realistic. And I don't think that's a low bar at all. What exactly do you think Ebukam was, dude was a solid backup that was a good run defender and provided a steadily increased amount of sacks over time. Hey, I hope he's better but a guy that raw turning into the production of Ebukam over the years he was with us is what eventually builds a playoff team.

Cooper Kupp is proof that we can hope even expect for more than rotational player in the 3rd round

 

[WestCoastRam]

Cooper Kupp is proof that we can hope even expect for more than rotational player in the 3rd round

I take issue with Ebukam being simply a rotational player, he eventually went from backup to be a productive starter on a historically good defense.

I agree on hoping but I don't know that I expect more than what Ebukam was (though I think I saw far more production from him than what other fans did).

 

[Mackeyser]

I take issue with Ebukam being simply a rotational player, he eventually went from backup to be a productive starter on a historically good defense.

I agree on hoping but I don't know that I expect more than what Ebukam was (though I think I saw far more production from him than what other fans did).

He became a productive starter after he left. He was a very productive and valuable rotational player here, unless I'm misremembering

 

[oldnotdead]

Ebukam played a position they don't use since Staley and Morris took over. Ebukam was a SAM LB, which is an OLB who plays off the LOS on the strong side. His role was contain and setting the edge when the JACK rushed the QB. I think that is the role that the drafted Nick Hampton to play. It's a position that left a huge hole in the defense and why Morris would often have Floyd dropping off the LOS instead of attacking the pocket.

Young is going to play that JACK replacing Floyd. He's bigger, and a lot faster than Floyd. Right now Young looks like an upgrade to Floyd.
The advantage to having a second edge playing the SAM role is that they can switch up who is coming. Most of the time it will be Young but as a change of pace they can drop Young and send Hampton.

They tried to do it with Hardy last year but he struggled in coverage. If Hampton can cover it will really make the strong side dangerous and force OC's to account for it. This would allow Morris to play Young as the JACK, Hampton as the SAM and Jones as the MIKE, allowing Morris to play a nickel base defense. That would allow the Rams to keep Hoecht at DE with Jones shading to support the weak side.

 

[jjab360]

Ebukam played a position they don't use since Staley and Morris took over. Ebukam was a SAM LB, which is an OLB who plays off the LOS on the strong side. His role was contain and setting the edge when the JACK rushed the QB. I think that is the role that the drafted Nick Hampton to play. It's a position that left a huge hole in the defense and why Morris would often have Floyd dropping off the LOS instead of attacking the pocket.

Young is going to play that JACK replacing Floyd. He's bigger, and a lot faster than Floyd. Right now Young looks like an upgrade to Floyd.
The advantage to having a second edge playing the SAM role is that they can switch up who is coming. Most of the time it will be Young but as a change of pace they can drop Young and send Hampton.

They tried to do it with Hardy last year but he struggled in coverage. If Hampton can cover it will really make the strong side dangerous and force OC's to account for it. This would allow Morris to play Young as the JACK, Hampton as the SAM and Jones as the MIKE, allowing Morris to play a nickel base defense. That would allow the Rams to keep Hoecht at DE with Jones shading to support the weak side.

I'm rooting for Young, seems like a good kid and he's a Ram so of course I am.

But saying he's already an upgrade over Floyd is quite the claim...

 

[Pupped]

He's bigger than Ebukam with the same kind of crazy athleticism ... And played against better competition. I'm hopeful.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Terrell Lewis without the knee issue?

Much more athletic than Lewis.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I thought that Young would play some 5 tech 2 gap and did a bit at Tenn I believe. I now think he will play 6 or 7 tech almost exclusively.
Of course, we hybrid so he may occasionally have his hand in the dirt but likely more W or S than anything. That way he can chew up TE's that will be similar size.

My only size critique is height not weight, he is appx 25% of height for an edge which by definition is undersized. Not a major concern and yes their are many who succeed at that height.

 

[OldSchool]

I take issue with Ebukam being simply a rotational player, he eventually went from backup to be a productive starter on a historically good defense.

I agree on hoping but I don't know that I expect more than what Ebukam was (though I think I saw far more production from him than what other fans did).

Niner fans view Ebukam a lot like we generally view Dante Fowler. He was adequate and his stats are largely inflated based on the other people on his defense. Almost entirely Niner fans wish they'd have drafted somebody to take his place in the 3rd instead of the kicker. Most people view Ebukam as just another guy those are easily, we'd hope, replaceable.

 

[RamFan503]

he is appx 25% of height for an edge

Wait. So edges are normally 24 plus feet tall? I'm confused by your math.

 

[Pupped]

Niner fans view Ebukam a lot like we generally view Dante Fowler. He was adequate and his stats are largely inflated based on the other people on his defense. Almost entirely Niner fans wish they'd have drafted somebody to take his place in the 3rd instead of the kicker. Most people view Ebukam as just another guy those are easily, we'd hope, replaceable.

Weird that they would be so worried about drafting one in the 3rd when they already have Drake Jackson.. who was a steal.

Ebukam isn't a difference-maker, nor was he paid like one. But he provided solid production and got another solid contract this offseason.

I think Young is farther along than Ebukam.. or at least I hope. He'll get plenty of opportunity, that's for sure.

The Rams, imo, drafted him to be "the other guy" in their pass rush, ultimately, and will have to acquire a difference-maker at some point.

 

[OldSchool]

Weird that they would be so worried about drafting one in the 3rd when they already have Drake Jackson.. who was a steal.

Ebukam isn't a difference-maker, nor was he paid like one. But he provided solid production and got another solid contract this offseason.

I think Young is farther along than Ebukam.. or at least I hope. He'll get plenty of opportunity, that's for sure.

The Rams, imo, drafted him to be "the other guy" in their pass rush, ultimately, and will have to acquire a difference-maker at some point.

Jackson missed a couple games and largely is down played by them because his few good plays were against some shitty OL's.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Wait. So edges are normally 24 plus feet tall? I'm confused by your math.

It is analogous to the way a DR grades a kids growth. It is a scale from shortest to tallest/lightest to heaviest and averaged within those 2 metrics. EX: when as parents we are told our child is in the 60% of weight and the 55% of height

Here are the combine statistics for a 6'2" linebacker and then Young who is listed as an Edge.
they are 2 different groups (look at top left)

Linebackers

Edges (caveat I think that some tweener DE/Edge end up in this group which further works against Young)

 

[Pupped]

Jackson missed a couple games and largely is down played by them because his few good plays were against some shitty OL's.

What I read may or may not be more concerning.
Thought from coaches is that he's absolutely a baller.. but he wasn't physically ready for the entire season.
I guess we'll know this year if he takes it seriously. If he does? He was a 5-star who was misused at USC and could blossom easily. Batted down 8 passes in addition to the sacks and pressures.

I would take the Ebukam they had last year in a second over anyone on the Rams roster right now to start the season.

I do wonder if they don't take a swing at a vet at an edge.

 

[RamFan503]

It is analogous to the way a DR grades a kids growth. It is a scale from shortest to tallest/lightest to heaviest and averaged within those 2 metrics. EX: when as parents we are told our child is in the 60% of weight and the 55% of height

Here are the combine statistics for a 6'2" linebacker and then Young who is listed as an Edge.
they are 2 different groups (look at top left)

Linebackers
View attachment 59625



Edges (caveat I think that some tweener DE/Edge end up in this group which further works against Young)
View attachment 59626

Did I mention I hate metrics? I'm an SAE guy.

 

[oldnotdead]

It will be interesting where they lineup Young. Does he lineup on the weakside where primary pass rushers normally line up? Or does he simply take Floyd's place on the strong side. I would think they would line Young up as Floyd's replacement on the strongside. The other issue is in college Young played as a LEO, which is a standup OLB on the LOS. A JACK is an OLB with his hands in the dirt playing as a DE. He would play as a 5T or 6T but as a LEO Young usually played standing up in a wide 9 technique.

Regardless I'm confident he will adapt in OTAs and TC. Just to see what kind of player the Rams got in the 3rd round this is from Princeton's Athletics:

2022 - SENIOR​

Started all 13 games at the LEO position and led the Vols with seven sacks to go along with 12 tackles for loss and 14 QB hurries ... Ranked top five in the SEC with 42 pressures according to Pro Football Focus ... Tied for sixth in the SEC in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss … Capped his career off in dominant fashion, collecting three tackles and a game-high two sacks for a loss of nine yards to help the Vols beat No. 7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl (12/30) … Finished off the regular season with four tackles at Vanderbilt (11/26), including a 12-yard TFL in the first quarter ... Logged a career-high three TFLs as part of a five-tackle performance at South Carolina (11/19) ... Notched four solo tackles and a QB hurry on his Senior Day in win over Missouri (11/12) ... Made four total stops vs. No. 19 Kentucky (10/29) with 1.5 sacks for a loss of nine yards and one quarterback hurry ... Had two tackles and a QB hurry in the win over No. 3 Alabama (10/15) ... Led the Vols’ pass rush with five tackles and a career-high 2.5 sacks at No. 25 LSU (10/8), tying the most by any player in the SEC this season, and earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for the second time this season ... Posted four tackles and logged a career-high four QB hurries in win over No. 20 Florida (9/24), including a key hit of UF QB Anthony Richardson that resulted in a UT interception on the final play of the game ... Made one assisted tackle and notched a pair of QB hurries in UT’s win over Akron (9/17) ... Was dominant in road win at No. 17 Pitt (9/10), notching four tackles, two TFLs, one sack and three QB hurries ... Named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts in Pittsburgh, the first Vol to earn the honor since 2018 ... Started at LEO in the season-opening win vs. Ball State (9/1) and recorded one QB hurry.

Young is a true talent at edge. He's bigger and faster than Floyd and it's why I project Young to be a clear upgrade to Floyd. I think it's clear now why the Rams released Floyd. A lot is made about his age, but IMO he clearly has a two full contract career (8 years) ahead of him in his prime.

 

[kurtfaulk]

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