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Missouri DE Zion Young should hear his name called early in Round 2 of the NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens are known for drafting very well while having elite rosters year after year. There is a certain draft pick that is catching the league’s attention.

The Baltimore Ravens drafted EDGE Zion Young out of the University of Missouri in the second round of the NFL draft.

“With the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp occurring this weekend, excitement is further building around this year’s loaded rookie class. Second-round pick edge rusher Zion Young is clearly one of the players with the most upside.” Eamon Cassels wrote in an Ebony Bird article.

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta praised Young’s motor as a top edge rusher.

“It was agony in the second round because good players were flying off the board. He has great physicality, can stuff the run, and has pass-rush upside. His energy and motor are infectious. He runs to the football with violence and passion. We loved his Senior Bowl performance and that viral overtime coin toss moment where he showed toughness and trash talk. He’s going to fit right in.” DeCosta said during an episode of “The Lounge” podcast.

Young Receiving Praise From Other Rookies

While at the University of Alabama, the Ravens’ newest tight end Josh Cuevas played against Young and Missouri.

“During the NFL Combine, Cuevas told coaches that Young was one of the most difficult players to go up against in college. More recently, Cuevas praised Young’s skill set and upside when speaking to the media at minicamp.” Eamon Cassels wrote.

“Zion Young, he’s got so much potential,” Cuevas said in the article. “His ceiling is tremendously high. He does everything right. He’s got a deep bag – spin move, push-pull, bull rush, everything.”

It’s great that Young is garnering early respect in the locker room. He will play a big role in turning around the Ravens defense.

Zion Young is Mr. ‘Let’s Get It’

“Let’s get it!!” Young said during his Draft Day call with Eric DeCosta. “Let’s get it. know. You fired up? You excited? Let’s get it. Let’s get it. Let’s get it. Go, you’re going to the team you wanted to go to, right? Let’s get it. I know that. Let’s get it. We’re going to get it.”

It’s safe to say that the Baltimore Ravens drafted a charismatic edge rusher and he’s clearly ready to go.

The Ravens ranked 24th in total defense during the 2025 season. Baltimore was the 10th ranked defense against the run. They were the 30th ranked defense against the pass. Though the team was talented on both sides of the ball, they failed to live up to the high expectations of the 2025 season.

Defensively, the Ravens had trouble generating pressure with a 30% pass rush win rate in 2025. According to ESPN, the win rate ranked 28th in the league.

Young will be a big help in the Ravens pass rush.  He played in 13 games in the 2025 season, recording 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 2.5 forced fumbles. In the previous seasons, he started all 11 games at Michigan State, accumulating 47 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 2.5 sacks.