The Los Angeles Rams defense has undergone some major changes in recent offseason. In 2023, there was a mass exodus of veterans as the team was entering a reset year.
Some players were traded and others departed in free agency as the team looked to get younger and fix their salary cap situation. Some gems were found, but 2024 will present another challenge defensively.
That is because star defensive tackle Aaron Donald will no longer be anchoring the line in the trenches. Donald announced his retirement this offseason, creating a massive void in the middle of their defense.
The future Hall of Famer was one of the most dominant players, regardless of position, in the NFL. Opponents would double and triple-team him but he would still find a way to wreak havoc in the backfield.
Replacing a player of that caliber is virtually impossible. Players are going to need to step up as it will take a total team effort to make up for Donald’s absence.
One player that the Rams will be relying on heavily is Byron Young. A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Young was excellent as a rookie.
He recorded 8.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 19 quarterback hits with 30 total pressures. Appearing in all 17 games and starting 16, he was an immediate contributor for Sean McVay as an edge rusher.
Heading into his sophomore season, even more could be in store. Young has been highlighted by Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network as a sophomore breakout candidate.
“The Los Angeles Rams absolutely nailed the 2023 NFL Draft. Nacua established himself as a rising star, and Kobie Turner dominated at defensive tackle.
Byron Young also enjoyed a strong rookie season, recording eight sacks and 61 total tackles. He could take another step forward and reach double-digit sacks in his sophomore season,” DiBona wrote.
Despite not having a first-round pick in 2023, the Rams were able to find plenty of talent in the draft. Their front office and coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for restocking the roster with elite talent despite not having many premium draft picks.
Young’s pass-rushing prowess will be needed with Donald no longer in the mix. He is certainly capable, as the former Volunteer looks to cement his status as a building block for the franchise defensively.
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