2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Zion Young (EDGE – Missouri)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Missouri EDGE rusher Zion Young.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Zion Young

Zion Young (EDGE – Missouri)

6-foot-5 | 262 Pounds

Background

Zion Young originally attended Michigan State, where he started two out of eight games as a freshman (21-2.0-1.0) before starting another nine games the following season (26-4.5-1.5). He transferred to Missouri and became a full-time starter, with a 42-5.5-2.5 line in 2024 and then an impressive 42-16.5-6.5 line this past season.

Positives

Young is a big, well-built three-year starter between two different programs, with escalating year-to-year output. Plays the game with plenty of toughness and strength. Attacks blockers as a two-gapper in the run game, showing the ability to walk back tackles with power to reset the line of scrimmage. Consequently, he made a lot of tackles in the backfield this past year.

Sets a hard edge and can bully opponents at times. Has some violence in his hands to shed blocks. There’s enough sand in his pants to hold the point of attack, showing a strong anchor. Shows good patience and discipline to stay home on the backside. Has good length and a solid tackling radius, and has also developed into a reliable tackler when in range.

Predominantly a power rusher on passing downs, with good leg drive and natural power to grind down blockers and collapse the pocket. Long-strider who has some juice to threaten the edge, and works well with his hands on outside rushes. Uses the speed rush as more of a change-up, or to set up speed-to-power approaches. Uses a nice rip move from time to time. Flashes good flexibility in his ankles. Plays with a strong motor and can disrupt on a second effort.

Negatives

Young works hard in pursuit, but isn’t the rangiest player. Made strides this year, but was never really a sack artist in school, with 11.5 career sacks over four years. Can occasionally get a little bit out of control, leading to minor balance issues.

At times, Young has to gather and redirect rather than bend a smooth arc to the passer, and his hips can rise a little bit there. Doesn’t have a very deep repertoire of counters. Actually created more pressure last season, but has struggled to finish and convert those pressures into sacks.

Wasn’t asked to make drops into coverage with just six career coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Doesn’t seem like he has the ideal profile for that role.

Summary

A big, strong defensive end whose no-nonsense, power-based approach is a breath of fresh air in a class that is relatively heavy on smooth technicians and undersized rush linebackers. This is an “identity” pick for a team that wants to establish a tough, physical style of play and that respects run defense more than many of their peers in the modern league.

Young hasn’t been quite as productive rushing the passer as some of his peers, so he could slip into the third round of a deep class, but teams looking for a two-gap, strongside tone-setter up front should see a lot to like here.

Projection: Round 2