After an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, Mizzou edge Zion Young is already flying up NFL Draft boards. He had some crazy highlights in one-on-ones and then took home Player of the Game honors for the American squad. Now, he's propelled himself into the first round of ESPN's latest mock draft.
Matt Miller posted his latest mock and had Young going at No. 25 to the Chicago Bears. He highlighted the Bears need for a pass-rusher opposite of Montez Sweat and how Young makes a ton of sense for the Bears here.
The 6-foot-5, 262-pound Young is more of a three-down edge setter than a sudden pass rusher, but he uses a long-arm move to set up tackles and establish the corner in the run game. Young needs to develop a secondary pass-rush move with a better plan, but the traits are there for him to be a solid starter in a 4-3 defense.
Zion Young jumps up into the first round of NFL Mock Drafts after dominant Senior Bowl
Young had a nice season for the Tigers, posting 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was mostly projected as a Day 2 pick until his emergence at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile. Now he figures to be the top drafted Tiger in a draft that will also feature Kevin Coleman Jr., Keagen Trost, Josiah Trotter and Chris McClellan.
There are plenty of teams at the end of the first round with needs at edge. Chicago at No. 25, obviously, but the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns could all be nice fits for Young.
The NFL Combine will be held in late February with Missouri's pro day likely shortly after and will serve as Young's last opportunities to showcase his abilities before the draft in April.