How Byron Young Can Excel in the Preseason

Las Vegas Raiders' third-round 2023 NFL Draft selection Byron Young wants to make his impact felt for the team during the preseason.

Young played only 17 snaps against the San Francisco 49ers but missed both joint practices in Los Angeles this week.

Young is in a defensive tackle room with a few veteran players and some younger players who have not had much more action than him in their careers, so there is an eclectic mix of experience levels.

Young comes to the Raiders with the chance to be a plus run-stopper almost immediately, with a chance to grow into a pass rusher. He flashed some pass rush potential at Alabama throughout his career, notably in his last season in 2022.

In order for Young to excel in the preseason and truly solidify his role during his rookie season and beyond, he will need to expand on that pass rushing ability.

Young probably won’t run with the veterans in the Raiders’ preseason game against the Rams, but should get plenty of opportunity once the starters are done for the day. Against a shaky Rams’ offensive line unit, he has a chance to work on getting to the quarterback.

Young played all across the defensive line at Alabama, even taking some snaps off the edge. It was clear they believed in his ability to make an impact as a pass rusher. Now it’s up to him to show the Raiders why they should believe in him, as well.

The Raiders’ top two defensive tackles are expected to be Bilal Nichols and Jerry Tillery, as neither of those players played last week, along with several other starters. Young has a chance to crack into the two-deep with good performances during the preseason.

If Young needs help honing his pass rushing moves and expanding on his potential, he has two players in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones who can help him. Crosby and Jones are always looking to build on their own games, and both have shown a willingness to mentor young players.

Young is a talented rookie who figures to be an important player in the future for the Raiders. If he wants to build on his ceiling, he could look to add more passing rush moves on the interior to provide pressure up the middle.

If he can expand on his talent like that in the preseason, his ceiling becomes even higher.

The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PDT.

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