The Baltimore Ravens select Missouri defensive end Zion Young with the 45th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens select Missouri defensive end Zion Young with the 45th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Ravens select Young to bolster their defense. They needed a big boost when it comes to their pass rush, and Baltimore received it by selecting Young.
The 22-year-old was among the best pass rushers in this year’s draft and will certainly bolster the Baltimore defense.
Young is the type of player that lines up with how Baltimore has built their defense for years. He could be a rotational pass rusher who has upside and a player who can develop into something more for the defense.
For starters, he can be relied on right out of the gate. Young can slide into the rotation with their current front and contribute on passing downs early. That keeps the pressure off Young while still addressing the need for pass rush help.
On top of that, Young fits the Baltimore mold of valuing defensive linemen who can move around. The former Missouri Tiger can line up on the edge in certain packages and can hold his own inside on passing downs.
Why this pick is such a strong fit for the Ravens is that they stayed true to their identity. The organization has long built a reputation for drafting traits-based defenders and developing them into high-impact players, and Young fits that mold with his physical tools, relentless motor, and clear room for growth.
Young played the last two seasons as a member of the Missouri Tigers. Prior to his time there, the Georgia native was a Michigan State Spartan for the first two seasons of his college career.
Last season, Young turned up his play in a big way, resulting in earning a spot in the first-team All-SEC. In 13 games with the Tigers (all starts), he was phenomenal, raking up 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended, 42 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
Young’s sack rate of .69 per game ranked fourth in the SEC and 19th nationally. According to Pro Football Focus, the defensive end was credited with 37 quarterback hurries and nine QB hits, and his pass rush productivity mark of 10.5 ranked 13th nationally among edge players.
Overall, Young can do these two things that can help the Ravens immediately: he improves their pass rush depth and keeps the front fresh over the course of the game and season.