Ravens rookie Zion Young is unsurprisingly blowing coaches away

The Baltimore Ravens selecting Zion Young with the No. 45 pick always seemed like a home run move. It's no secret that Young is a physical beast and tenacious run stopper. Predictably, Young is already drawing praise from the coaching staff for his physicality and desire to be great at OTAs. 

Recently, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was effusive in his praise for Young. 

"He's as advertised," Weaver said with a massive smile on his face. "The physical nature that he plays with, even out here without pads, you see it. How hungry he is to grow and get better... Couldn't be more excited about a player than I am about that kid, because you see just how bad he wants to be great." 

Anthony Weaver's comments about Baltimore Ravens second-round rookie Zion Young aren't surprising

It's not easy to stand out physically during OTAs, especially if you are a rookie. But frankly, I don't think anyone is surprised by the 6-foot-6, 262-pound edge rusher standing out. In college, Young earned a reputation for being an incredibly physical run stopper, recording 16.5 tackles for loss as a senior at Missouri. 

What's more is that he became well-known for his relentless mentality and competitive spirit in college. Young has the tools to make an immediate impact, but as Weaver noted, he is only going to get better, and he's eager about improving.

Again, anyone who has been following Young closely isn't surprised by Weaver's comments. 

Even if you didn't watch Young at college, you could see his competitive fire during his viral draft call with the Ravens' organization where he continuously said: "Let's get it."

Weaver's comments further add buzz to all of the good vibes around Young right now.

Zion Young is a perfect fit for the Baltimore Ravens' new look defense

The Ravens' defense was nothing short of a disaster last year, ranking in the bottom 10 in yards allowed and sacks. Beyond their statistical production, the unit (especially the front-seven) didn't have the typical pride and tenacity we've been accustomed to seeing from the Ravens. 

A culture overhaul was needed; Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver should help the team restore their traditional defensive identity -- so should prized free agent addition Trey Hendrickson. There's no denying, though, that Young will ensure the Ravens play with the needed physicality and energy.

As evidenced by Weaver's comments, Young is already making his impact felt in these crucial areas. 

The Ravens feel primed to put a bad season behind them and return to true Super Bowl contention. 

One of the biggest reasons for this is their transformed defense, and Young should be a major part of the Ravens' defense from the get-go, specifically providing value as a run-stopper.

Ultimately, Young feels primed for a strong rookie season, and he should give the Ravens' front-seven exactly what they need.  

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