For a franchise that has leaned toward an “F Them Picks” philosophy in recent years, the Los Angeles Rams are certainly doing a fine job getting their draft selections on the field at a ridiculous rate of value in the 2023 season. Fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua is on pace to shatter several rookie records, and second-round guard Steve Avila has allowed just two sacks and 31 total pressure this season. Outside of Nacua and Avila, the Rams’ two most impressive rookies have been edge-rusher Byron Young from Tennessee, and defensive lineman Kobie Turner from Wake Forest.
Only Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans and Tuli Tuipulotu of the Los Angeles Chargers have more total pressures among edge defenders than Young’s 46 (seven sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 25 quarterback hurries), and no rookie interior defensive lineman has more pressures than Turner’s 45 (11 sacks, five quarterback hits, 29 quarterback hurries). Even Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles, thought by many to be this year’s “Annual Generational” defensive prospect, hasn’t disrupted quarterbacks at Turner’s rate.
Not bad for a couple of second-round under the radar guys.
“Didn’t know about the sack totals,” defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said on Thursday of his two first-year stars. “I just kind of go about the deal and they’ve really gotten better watching those guys go since they’ve been here. They came in young rookies. Kobie came in, super smart, super intelligent with an unbelievable motor. Byron just coming in really showing us stuff right off the bat with some explosiveness — being just a violent rusher, and he’s really developed some of his tools to get even better and now developing as a dropper as well, being at the outside backer position. They have been so much fun to work with and be around. I couldn’t be happier with the two young guys.”
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Young often gets his sacks and disruptions in space and with second effort. Against the New York Giants last week, Young was faced with a six-OL set, and guard Mark Glowinski motioning to his side. Young outlasted Glowinnki to the edge, and took quarterback Tyrod Taylor down.
In Turner’s case, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound powerhouse gets it done in the pit with great leverage, nasty hand technique, and some terrifying tackle/tackle stunts with that Aaron Donald guy, who’s still pretty good. Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco found himself on the wrong end of that concept for a safety in Week 13. These are not the gentlemen you want to see coming at you from either side, and this will continue when the Rams hit the postseason.
In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys detail what Young and Turner bring to the table, and how they’re leading the charge for an underrated Rams defense. You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:
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