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Willie Young | Defensive Lineman

Team: Detroit Lions
Age / DOB:  (27) / 9/19/1985
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 251
College: North Carolina State
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Lions DE Willie Young's one-year deal is worth $1.5 million.
That's $500,000 less than the second-round level Young was tendered at as a restricted free agent. It's a sneaky tactic by the Lions, though Young could have forced his way to the open market by calling the Lions' bluff and refusing to sign for less than his tender amount. The deal includes a $300,000 signing bonus. Young will compete for a starting job in camp, and should have the inside track on lining up opposite Jason Jones. Apr 16 - 6:07 PM
Source: Detroit Free Press

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Player News

Date:
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions re-signed restricted free agent DE Willie Young to a one-year contract.

Young was tendered at the second-round level ($2.023 million), but has signed for something less than the tender amount. Young didn't draw any interest on the restricted market, while the Lions have since signed DL Jason Jones. Defensive end remains a trouble spot for Detroit. Jones is better suited for the interior on passing downs, and Young has three sacks in 32 career games.
Source: Tim Twentyman on Twitter
Apr 15 - 11:10 AM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions extended restricted free agent DE Willie Young a second-round tender.

With Cliff Avril and Lawrence Jackson on the free agent market and Kyle Vanden Bosch run out of MoTown, 27-year-old Young is currently the best defensive end on the Lions' roster. Expect that to change dramatically before Week 1.
Mar 12 - 2:22 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions DE Willie Young smashed his middle finger so bad in Week 11 that he considered having it amputated.

We typically don't post information like this, but it's an excuse to talk about Young, who was deemed Detroit's "biggest breakout of this year's preseason." Head coach Jim Schwartz gave his third-year player a lot of love, and some thought Young could be the fallback plan to pending free agent Cliff Avril. Young has played in roughly 25-33 percent of the defensive snaps this season and has amassed a whopping seven tackles with zero sacks. The Lions don't have an heir apparent to Avril on the current roster.
Source: Detroit News
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 01:25:00 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions DE Willie Young has been the team's "biggest breakout of the preseason."

Young has recovered a fumble, forced a sack, blocked a punt and intercepted a pass, following up an impressive offseason and training camp. "Let's not put him in the Hall of Fame yet," quipped coach Jim Schwartz while acknowledging that Young "makes a lot of plays." While the Lions still have "every intention" of locking up franchise player Cliff Avril, Young is emerging as a fine fallback plan.
Source: Sporting News
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 04:21:00 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Coach Jim Schwartz says DE Willie Young was one of the "most consistent players" during the first week of Lions camp.

Young split first-team reps at left end before Cliff Avril reported on Sunday. "We expect a lot from him," Schwartz said. "He's made plays for us, he's come a long way. ... (He needs to) keep grinding that attitude." Efficient as a situational pass-rusher last season, Young could grease the skids for Avril's departure in 2013 free agency if he's similarly productive this year.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 08:39:00 AM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions GM Martin Mayhew labeled DE Willie Young as one of three players to have outstanding offseasons this year.

Young took advantage of Cliff Avril's absence in spring practices. Although he played just over 20 percent of the Lions' defensive snaps, Young finished behind only Trent Cole, Jason Babin, and Chris Long in Pro Football Focus' Pass Rushing Productivity rating last season, bringing pressure on one of every six plays. He's an underrated member of Detroit's imposing defensive front.
Source: Detroit News
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 02:00:00 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions DE Willie Young added 10 pounds in the offseason and is up around 260.

A bright spot in practice last year as a seventh-round pick, Young is working as the Lions' second-team right end behind Kyle Vanden Bosch. Young played just six snaps on defense in his rookie season, but now figures to replaced departed Turk McBride as the No. 4 end, after KVB, Cliff Avril, and Lawrence Jackson.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Fri, Aug 12, 2011 03:27:00 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Coach Jim Schwartz suggested that rookie DE Willie Young's play in the preseason opener made recently released Jason Hunter expendable this week.

Young had been overwhelmed in training camp practices, but something "flipped" in the game against the Steelers, allowing him to show his athletic ability. The seventh-rounder will begin seeing more reps in practice now that Hunter is gone. He's ticketed for special teams duty if he makes the roster.
Source: MLive.com
Tue, Aug 17, 2010 02:39:00 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions signed seventh-round DE Willie Young to a three-year contract, including a signing bonus of roughly $48,000.

Young, a lightweight pass rusher from North Carolina State, struggled in pre-draft workouts, showing less than ideal athleticism and burst off the snap. He doesn't look to be a great bet for a long-term NFL career.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter
Mon, Jun 28, 2010 05:19:00 PM
Willie Young - DL - Lions

Lions coach Jim Schwartz wants seventh-round DE Willie Young to put on weight.

Young played at 250 pounds at North Carolina State and his lower body is very thin. He's a long shot for snaps anyway, with Kyle Vanden Bosch holding down the right side and Jared DeVries, Cliff Avril and Jason Hunter all in the mix at left end.
Source: MLive.com
Sun, May 2, 2010 11:11:00 AM

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GLB1Mikel Leshoure
2Reggie Bush
3RB1Reggie Bush
2Joique Bell
FB1Shaun Chapas
WR11Calvin Johnson
2Ryan Broyles
3Mike Thomas
4Brian Robiskie
5Chastin West
WR21Nate Burleson
2Corey Fuller
3Kris Durham
4Lance Long
5Devin Thomas
WR31Ryan Broyles
TE1Brandon Pettigrew
2Tony Scheffler
3Michael Williams
4Dominique Curry
5Nathan Overbay
K1David Akers
2Havard Rugland