Zion Young is a name gaining a lot of attention leading up to the NFL Combine. Can the Missouri Tigers edge rusher solidify himself as a first-round pick once the 2026 NFL Draft comes around?
Well, in a draft deep with edge rush talent, if Young can continue to rise, teams selecting in the mid-to-late first round will be intrigued with Young’s upside.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, Young has the size and length of a prototypical defensive end in the NFL. Along with his rushing ability, the Missouri star is also great against the run, making him a three-down edge rusher in the NFL.
After transferring from Michigan State following the 2023 college football season, Young went from a solid defender to a dominant defender in his two seasons at Missouri. During a breakout year in 2025, Young put himself on the map with 9.0 sacks and over 50 QB pressures. How will his physicality, versatility and high motor translate to the NFL level?
Zion Young is a “powerful” force off the edge
Further increasing his NFL draft stock, Young was named the Senior Bowl Player of the Game. In catching the attention of many NFL scouts and draft analysts, Young showcased his ability to power through offensive lineman in one-on-one reps, drawing praise from the likes of Mel Kiper Jr, who has him forecasted as a top 25 prospect.
Kiper Jr writes:
“The Michigan State transfer had two great seasons at Missouri, making an impact both as a pass rusher and run defender. Young consistently seals off the edge. He's powerful and plays with sustained intensity, with one of the best motors among the edge rushers in the class. I see strong hands and impressive lateral quickness on the tape, too. Young crashes down the line.”
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Teams seeking an edge rusher to come in and have an impact Day 1 will see Young as a player just discovering his ceiling. The power, the lateral quickness and his ability to dominate against the run will be ideal for these three NFL teams selecting towards the end of the first round.
3 NFL teams in position to land Zion Young
New England Patriots
The Patriots will be rumored in a trade destination for Maxx Crosby, but a more conventional approach to solving their needs at edge will be through the draft. In a deep class, the Patriots will have an opportunity to select a good edge rusher at No. 31. If he doesn’t continue to rise even higher up the draft board, Young is a player who should be available. The Patriots will have a decision to make about K’Lavon Chaisson, but even if he is brought back, the team still needs that Willie McGinest type defensive end and Young has the size and versatility to fit the bill.
- Other first round options for the Patriots: Caleb Lomu (OT), Cashius Howell (EDGE), R Mason Thomas (EDGE)
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will be on the market for an edge rusher or two. If they don’t upgrade at the position either through free agency or trade leading up to the draft, then Zion Young would be an ideal fit for the Eagles who are seeking depth at the position and a player who can grow into an impact player off the edge. Young, with his ability to create consistent pressure and set the edge against the run would flourish playing on the same line as Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter and opposite a player like Nolan Smith Jr.
- Other first round options for the Eagles: Denzel Boston (WR), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S), Colton Hood (CB)
Chicago Bears
Another late-first round destination for the Missouri prospect is the Chicago Bears. In searching for consistency in the pass rush opposite Montez Sweat, the Bears could opt to select Young at edge over their top need at defensive tackle if he is the best player available. Given his climb up the draft board, the Bears or any team with a chance to select him will take a hard look at a player who has the prototypical length as a edge rusher while also elite in stopping the run. Playing opposite a defensive playmaker such as Sweat would help his development at the NFL Level. Plus, he would get to stay in the Midwest.
- Other first round options for the Bears: Kayden McDonald (DT), Caleb Banks (DT), Dillon Thieneman (S)