The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Byron Young 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Tennessee
Size: 6-foot-2, 250 pounds
Class: Senior
2022 Stats: 37 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks
Young spent time at the JUCO level and at Tennessee showing their skills. Now he is in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a three-star recruit out of high school, Young went to JUCO for two seasons. He then made the jump to Tennessee in 2021. For the 2021 season, he had 46 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He helped the Volunteers go 7-6. In the 2022 season, Young had 37 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He led Tennessee to an 11-2 record and a win in the Orange Bowl.
Following the Orange Bowl win, Young declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Young is a great athlete for an edge rusher. He has good burst at the snap of the ball and that quickness can sustain itself into speed. Young has good flexibility and can bend around the edge. He is also able to change directions quickly.
He is able to get a great jump on the play by getting off the line of scrimmage quickly at the snap of the ball. That quick first step puts offensive linemen in reactionary mode and helps him win a lot of reps because he can keep that burst going.
His motor is great for the position. He is always trying to get to the quarterback or ball carrier. A lot of his production is because of his effort and second efforts. He shows good pursuit of ball carriers downfield, making plays far from his starting position.
Young doesn’t have the greatest measurables for the position. He is 6-foot-2, which is short for the position, but he is at least decently filled out at 250 pounds. That will make him a smaller NFL edge rusher. He also has shorter arms for an edge rusher at 32 1/2 inches. This gives him trouble shedding blocks.
His lack of size makes it hard for him to match up with powerful tackles. He can be pushed around and struggles to anchor. This comes into play against the run and the pass. Young may not be able to add much more play strength to his frame to combat the issue, so he needs to make sure his pad level and technique are in line.
Right now, Young wins because of his athleticism and motor. He needs to add more pass-rush moves and counters to his game to make him a more effective pass-rusher. As an older prospect, he won’t have as much time to develop his pass rush moves as other prospects.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third-Round Pick
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