WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Outside linebacker Byron Young is thought of primarily as a pass rusher, and as he leads the Rams in sacks through three games, that wouldn't be an unreasonable assumption. But Young has made a significant impact in zone coverage and as a run stopper through three games.
In the first quarter of Los Angeles' win over the 49ers on Sunday, Young dropped into coverage from the slot. Reading San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy's eyes, he shuffled toward wide receiver Jauan Jennings on what looked like an improvised slant route. Young drove straight through Jennings to break up the pass and plant the receiver on his back.
"(Young was) a zone dropper playing visual on Purdy, ends up triggering, it was a really good play," said head coach Sean McVay on Monday.
"The game has slowed down for him (since last season)," said outside linebacker Michael Hoecht.
This wasn't even Young's most impactful play of the game – that title belongs to his strip sack near the end of the first half. Yet, it showcased how Young's value lies in his aggressiveness, regardless of his assignment. McVay said "he didn't hesitate" in any aspect of the game, which has enabled him to make plays as a pass rusher, run stopper and cover linebacker, the trifecta of his position.
"We really see him as an every-down player," said defensive coordinator Chris Shula. "Byron's done a great job as far as just walking into the nuances, getting off the ball, hitting blocks, being able to play good run defense and then when it switches into pass-first mode he's been able to make some big plays for us."
The stat sheet reflected Young's complete effort, as he finished Sunday's game with four tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a pass defended and two tackles for loss.
"I just felt like last week I wasn't as disruptive, so this week I just practiced really hard and focused on really helping the team out, getting the job done," Young said postgame. "This week I feel like I was definitely locked in more."
Young's strip sack on Purdy happened in just 2.7 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats, which is the ninth-fastest sack of the NFL season thus far. So "disruptive" might be an understatement of Young's performance on Sunday – explosive is more accurate.
Young finished his rookie season with eight sacks and eight tackles for loss, and he's already got two sacks and four tackles for loss three games into his sophomore season.
Young was also a force in the run game on Sunday, something McVay took notice of, and made his presence felt early. On San Francisco's second drive of the game, Young shrugged off a block from fullback Kyle Juszczyk, then dipped inside Jennings on the cheat motion before his brutal, solo wrap-up of 49ers running back Jordan Mason for a two-yard loss.
San Francisco's All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams would have been better served chipping Young than working his way to the second level. If Young's eclectic success continues, he could start commanding attention from linemen instead of fullbacks, receivers and tight ends.
This weekend, the Rams will go up against "an elite escape artist" in Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Shula said. The Bears' offensive line has allowed the third-most sacks per game this season (4.3), so Young could be in for another complete performance. His presence off the edge could be a big help in corralling Williams if he attempts to leave the pocket along with controlling the outside run game.
McVay has been impressed with Young's commitment to personal growth, and the results have followed. That could help the Rams, who have allowed the fourth-most yards per carry in the NFL so far (5.1), be more perturbing in the run game if the second level gets to deal with more skill players rather than tackles or guards.
"He's got a great motor, he's so strong at the point of attack, he's just physically got a really impressive stature," McVay said on Monday. "You give him some things to improve on and he really puts it to light."
