30 Most Important Ravens of 2026: No. 23 Zion Young

The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for the 2026 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization, including a complete overhaul of the coaching staff. Several players, coaches, and front-office members are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Ravens for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026, and tackle the most significant question facing them this year.

Next up is rookie outside linebacker Zion Young, a ferocious, high-motor performer who could take Baltimore’s pass rush to the next level. The Ravens selected Young with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another long, powerful edge defender to a front seven that already features established talent. General manager Eric DeCosta said after the pick that Baltimore viewed Young as a “first-round type of player,” which says plenty about the upside the Ravens believe they landed in the middle of Round 2.

Young is No. 23 on our list of the 30 most important Ravens entering the 2026 season because his development could determine how deep Baltimore’s edge rotation becomes.

Background

Position: Outside linebacker/edge rusher

Age: 22

Experience: Rookie

2026 cap hit: $2,031,812

Young signed his rookie contract in May, completing Baltimore’s 2026 draft class signings. Spotrac lists his 2026 cap hit at $2,031,812, while Over the Cap lists him at 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds after entering the league as the No. 45 overall pick out of Missouri.

That size is part of the appeal. Young looks like the type of edge defender Baltimore has long valued, with the length and frame to set the edge while still offering enough athletic ability to develop as a pass rusher.

2025 recap

Young’s final college season showed why the Ravens were comfortable investing a premium pick. He started all 13 games for Missouri in 2025 and totaled 42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups, according to Missouri’s official bio.

The production reflected more than pass-rush flashes. Baltimore’s official “five things to know” feature noted Young’s run-defense ability, energy, and edge-setting value, traits that should matter immediately in a defense that expects outside linebackers to do more than chase quarterbacks.

2026 outlook

Young enters a favorable situation because the Ravens do not need him to be their primary rusher immediately. Trey Hendrickson gives Baltimore a proven front-line pass-rush presence, while Mike Green, Tavius Robinson, Calais Campbell, and others give the Ravens enough options to let Young develop without overloading him.

That does not mean Young will spend the season waiting. His size, power, and motor give him a chance to earn rotational snaps quickly if he proves he can handle the run game, maintain rush-lane discipline, and create pressure in sub packages. Baltimore wants waves of rushers, not one player forced to win every important snap.

Biggest question

The biggest question is how quickly Young can turn traits into dependable NFL production.

His physical tools are obvious, and his college production suggests he can affect games in multiple ways. The adjustment will come in the details. Young must show he can play with consistent technique, avoid assignment mistakes, and earn trust from Anthony Weaver’s defensive staff.

If Young flashes early, the Ravens’ edge rotation becomes much deeper and more dangerous. That would give Baltimore exactly what it hoped for when it selected him: a rookie who does not have to do everything, but can still help a championship-caliber defense right away.