We are diving into some fantasy football content this offseason as we look to bring in all sorts of football fans to Bucs Wire. While offensive players often dominate fantasy football discussions, IDP leagues continue to grow in popularity, offering another way for fans to enjoy the game.
We will start with some rookie profiles and how they fit into the landscape of the teams that drafted them. Next up is Baltimore Ravens edge defender Zion Young.
Young enters the NFL after stops at Michigan State and Missouri, where he developed into one of the more complete run-defending edge defenders in this draft class. His best season came in 2025, when he generated 57 pressures, eight sacks, and earned an 85.0 defensive grade from PFF. While he may not possess elite first-step explosiveness, Young consistently found ways to impact games with his length, power and relentless motor.
Depth Chart Situation
Defensive Players Around Him
2026 Stat Projections
Projections provided by Mase Riney of Fantasy In Frames.
Reason to Believe in Zion Young in 2026: Complete skill set creates opportunity
Young may not arrive with the same pass-rush hype as some of the other edge defenders in this rookie class, but his all-around game could help him earn snaps sooner than expected. Baltimore values defenders who can contribute on all three downs, and Young’s run defense is already one of the strongest parts of his profile.
His length, physicality, and ability to stack and shed blockers stand out on film. Young consistently held up against SEC competition, showing the strength to anchor at the point of attack while maintaining enough athleticism to chase plays down from the backside. His effort level also shows up regularly, turning potential gains into minimal yardage through pure pursuit.
The pass-rush production improved dramatically during his final season at Missouri. Young recorded 57 pressures and eight sacks in 2025 while flashing a growing arsenal of moves that included a swim, a rip, and a developing spin counter. Playing alongside veterans such as Trey Hendrickson and Nnamdi Madubuike could create favorable matchups whenever he sees the field.
2026 Outlook
Young enters a crowded Ravens edge room that already features Hendrickson, Mike Green and Tavius Robinson. That depth will likely limit his immediate workload and make it difficult for him to become a weekly starter in most IDP leagues.
Still, Baltimore has a history of rotating defensive linemen and outside linebackers throughout games. Young’s ability to defend the run gives him a better chance of earning snaps than many rookie pass-rush specialists who only contribute on third downs.
For now, fantasy managers should view Young as a deep-league stash and watch-list candidate. The long-term outlook is more appealing than the immediate redraft value, but his balanced skill set could allow him to outperform expectations if injuries or strong camp performances create additional opportunities.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: IDP Rookie Profile: Zion Young fantasy outlook for 2026
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
