The energy in the Baltimore Ravens’ building this year is palpable. From top to bottom, this team looks ready to rock and roll. Coaching staff, veterans, rookies; it doesn’t matter where or who you look at, the organization is eager as heck to hit the field.
And when it comes to that energy and eagerness, outside linebacker Zion Young brings plenty. He supplied the juice off the edge in college and is ready to bring it to the NFL.
Young is just a rookie—you can’t expect dominant production immediately. However, there have been signs that he’s ready to take the league by storm. According to defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, his development looks to be ahead of schedule.
“He’s ahead of where I expected him to be,” Weaver said. “Obviously he has all the physical traits in the world, but he just works…I feel like his pass-rushing ability has already grown leaps and bounds. I think his run defense is gonna be elite. The ceiling is very high for that kid. I love where he’s at, and love where he’s headed.”
When you put it that way, Young could make a name for himself in 2026.
Baltimore Ravens’ defense could get a boost earlier than expected from Zion Young
Sure, Zion Young was selected in the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Rookies drafted in that range usually see important roles early on. However, pass rushers can take time before they are seasoned and ready to do consistent damage at the professional level.
Pass rushers thrive off physicality and athleticism in college. But unfortunately for those guys, technique becomes the priority in the NFL, which makes the learning curve such a steep hill to climb at their position. The Ravens saw it last year with Mike Green enduring a significant slump.
Young could be a different case, though. He brings the size, strength, and athleticism to win against tackles, and most importantly, he’s a game-wrecker in the run game. That provides him a higher floor, and a high ceiling.
Anthony Weaver calling Young ahead of schedule becomes all the more captivating when you remember where the Ravens had the Missouri product ranked on their draft board. They had him pegged as a first-round prospect, and lucked into drafting him in the second round at No. 45.
When that kind of talent is developing quicker than expected, that’s very encouraging news. Baltimore needed pass-rush help this offseason, and while Trey Hendrickson was the big-fish acquisition, Young can’t fly under the radar. He can make a substantial impact, too.
And to tie it all together, he really does play like a Raven.
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