Byron Young Can Inject Life into Raiders Defensive Line
The Las Vegas Raiders spent many of their free agency signings and draft selections on the defensive side of the ball.
Of their signings and re-signings, 11 were defensive players, and six of their nine draft picks were defensive. General Manager Dave Ziegler knew the team needed to upgrade on that side of the ball, so he went and made moves to do just that.
One of those draft picks was Alabama defensive tackle Byron Young. Young was the 70th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not only is Young a defensive player, but he is a defensive lineman, an area the Raiders desperately needed to address.
During his time with the Crimson Tide, Young posted 130 total tackles, 20 for losses, and seven and a half sacks. He was named Second-Team All-SEC last season.
Young was always known as a leader at Alabama, and the Raiders hope he can bring that leadership to the defensive line. He is a high-IQ player, knowing how to read blocks and get into the backfield. He does not possess the elite athleticism that teams may want, but he always knows where he is supposed to be on the field.
After adding Tyree Wilson in round one to bolster their pass rush, the Raiders added Byron Young in the third to put a young, able-bodied player on the interior of the defensive line. Both players' additions add much-needed youth and long-term answers to Patrick Graham’s defensive unit.
Here is a complete list of every 2023 Raiders draft pick and links to more information about them:
Round 1 No. 7 overall pick: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
Round 2 No. 35 overall pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Round 3 No. 70 overall: Byron Young, DT, Alabama
Round 3 No. 100 overall: Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
Round 4 No. 104 overall: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Round 4 No. 135 overall: Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue
Round 5 No. 170 overall: Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia
Round 6 No. 203 overall: Amari Burney, LB, Florida
Round 7 No. 231 overall: Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State
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