Is Alabama DL Byron Young a draft target for Chicago Bears?

We all know the Chicago Bears have to attack the defensive line in the 2023 NFL draft. Is Alabama defensive lineman an option, and what does he bring to the NFL? What is his best NFL comparison?

Chicago Bears Draft Profile: Alabama DL, Byron Young

Byron Young spent four years rotating into the mighty Alabama defensive line. What makes him interesting is that he moved up and down the defensive line. He had 474 outside the tackles as an edge rusher, 536 as more of a 5-technique defensive end, then he had 472 as a three-technique, and even played 38 as a one-technique. He played a little of everywhere on the line.

Last season he went from 213 pass rush snaps to 299 but went from 12 pressures to 28, so he was more than making the most of it. After a career that featured 1,526 at Alabama he earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl and NFL combine.

He is a bit ligher for the interior, but you cannot miss that arm length.

How Byron Young translates to the NFL

The question with Byron Young is where he can find his best role. Is he a tweener, or a hybrid? On the edge, he just does not have the juice to consistently rush off of the edge. He is violent with his hands and uses his length to his advantage in the interior. It gives him a better chance, but he is not only light, at times he can struggle to create an anchor, and he can get pushed off of the football.

The experience on the edge helps, and he is a known leader with al lot of experience on the Alabama line. He is technically sound, and it comes with a higher floor, but he is best as a rotational player who can be a swiss arm knife.

NFL Comparison for Alabama DL, Byron Young

The best NFL comparison for Byron Young is Ziggy Hood. They have physical and athletic similarities. Beyond that, they have a similar play style. The Steelers learned the lesson and picked Hood too high. He did not become worthy of a first-round pick but ended up having a long career as a rotational rusher who mainly played the 3 and 5-technique. The high floor and low ceiling are exactly what you should see from Young, and it is what Hood turned into in the NFL.

Should Chicago Bears draft Byron Young?

Byron Young is projected to be a fourth round pick. In that area, they have to be in on Byron Young. As noted, he brings leadership and plays the way that Matt Eberflus loves. From there, he can fill needs across the defensive line.

They did similar when they added DeMarcus Walker. That could be too much of a good thing, it could also be relying on a group of diverse threats, and not one big name. If that is the case, Young would be great in a rotation and would wear down linemen to let a speed rusher clean things up.