The group of edge defenders in the 2026 NFL Draft is surprisingly deep. Three of the top players in the draft will be selected as edge defenders, and we could see 10 OLBs, EDGEs, or DEs drafted inside the Top 50.
Missouri defensive end Zion Young generated buzz for himself with a strong week at the 2026 Senior Bowl, however he seems to have slipped back under the radar a bit as the draft process has worn on. However, he brings good size, play strength, technique, and toughness to the table.
At least for the right team.
The New York Giants don’t currently have a need — or much of an opening — for a highly drafted edge defender. However, several of their opponents in the NFC East could use a player like Young, so he is worth getting to know.
Prospect: Zion Young (9)
Games Watched: vs. South Carolina (2025), vs. Alabama (2025), vs. Oklahoma (2025)
Measurables
Strengths
Best traits
- Frame
- Play strength
- Snap timing
- First step
- Hand usage
- Run defense
- Competitive toughness
Zion Young is a big, powerful, technically sound, and tough defensive end prospect.
Young has a good frame for a 7-technique defensive end at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, and 33-inch arms. He has good thickness in his upper and lower halves with plenty of power while still retaining a good burst off the line of scrimmage. Young is still relatively, well, young at 22 years old and could add another 5 or 10 pounds of mass as he continues to mature without it having a significant impact on his athleticism.
He features a good get-off, built on his ability to anticipate the snap. While there are some instances where the snap catches Young off guard, he is often one of the very first players moving at the snap of the ball. He gains good ground with his first and second steps, and has the pass rush technique to keep himself clean as he engages with blockers.
Young is a savvy rusher who consistently comes with a pass rush plan, using a smart selection of “finesse” moves to complement and counter his foundation of power moves. For instance, he will set up with a bull rush before using a two-hand swipe to clear blockers’ hands, or use a long-arm or club-rip move to maintain his leverage while moving into the backfield. He also has enough mass and power to effectively rush as an interior defender in obvious passing downs.
Young is already a good run defender, using his hands to keep himself clean to make plays in the backfield, as well as his strength to make plays off of blockers. He’s quick to diagnose run or pass, is disciplined in his gap assignments, and is a high-motor player in pursuit.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Athleticism
- Pass rush
- Bend
The single biggest weakness in Zion Young’s profile is an overall lack of athleticism. He is simply a limited athlete, at least when compared to most modern edge defenders.
Young has a solid initial burst and a good get-off, however he lacks a second gear to continue to gain ground after his second or third step. He doesn’t have the speed to chase down many ball carriers, or quarterbacks, from behind, nor consistently win with speed off the edge.
He will likely need to be a power-first pass rusher at the NFL level, and lacks the ability to consistently threaten offensive tackles with speed off the edge. That will limit his ability to force over-sets and create openings for inside moves, or stress tackles’ footwork to create opportunities to win with speed-to-power.
Likewise, he has some lower-body stiffness that can limit his ability to bend a tight corner, win high-side, or consistently carry his speed into the backfield. There’s a bit of a tendency in Young’s tape to pop up and play upright rather than try to bend and lose his footing.
Game Tape
(Young is the Missouri defensive end wearing number 9 with white tape on the backs of his arms. )
Projection
Zion Young projects as an important rotational edge defender who could become a starter for a team that primarily plays 4-3 fronts.
Teams that run modern “multiple” style defenses that use true EDGE defenders who blur the lines between outside linebacker and defensive end could view Young as a rotational player and a short-yardage defender. However, teams that play a 4-3 Under defense could view him as a potential, or even likely, starter.
Young will (probably) never be a true sack artist in the NFL. He lacks the raw speed and bend to consistently win quickly and generate pressure before the quarterback can get the ball out. However, his technique and motor will lead to production, and make him a player coaches like and feel good about being on the field.
He’s more than the sum of his parts and could hear his name called earlier than many are expecting.
Does he fit the Giants? Probably not
Final Word: An early second or late first round pick
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