The Green Bay Packers are busy finalizing their draft board as the offseason progresses. After making blockbuster roster moves to overhaul the defense, the front office still needs to reinforce its depth along the defensive front. Recent reports indicate the Packers spent a considerable amount of time meeting with Missouri edge rusher Zion Young at his Pro Day.
Green Bay Packers Eyeing Missouri Edge Zion Young
Zion Young brings a highly physical, hard-nosed approach to the gridiron (something the Green Bay Packers could use). During his four-year collegiate career, spending his first two seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri, he compiled 130 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Competing in the rigorous SEC allowed him to showcase his durability against top-tier offensive lines.
NFL draft analysts frequently highlight his raw power. NFL.com expert Lance Zierlein notably compared Young’s playing style to former Packers standout Za’Darius Smith. Young excels at the bull rush, utilizing his functional strength to drive through opposing offensive tackles and collapse the pocket.
While scouts note he needs to develop a wider variety of counter moves to succeed consistently as a professional pass rusher, his rugged demeanor makes him an immediate asset against the run. He sets a firm, heavy edge, preventing opposing running backs from bouncing outside the tackles and forcing plays back inside toward the linebackers.
Fitting the Green Bay Scheme
The Packers are actively transitioning their defensive philosophy under coordinator Jonathan Gannon. As the team moves toward a scheme that heavily values versatile, powerful edge defenders, Young fits the required mold perfectly.
Opposite an elite, fast-twitch pass rusher like Micah Parsons, the Green Bay defense needs disciplined players who can hold the point of attack. Young offers exactly that type of foundational stability. His ability to upgrade the run defense immediately would allow the coaching staff to deploy him heavily on early downs while he refines his pass-rushing repertoire with NFL coaching. Bringing in a player with Za’Darius Smith-like physical traits gives Gannon a powerful asset to stabilize the trenches.
Decoding the Packers’ Draft Strategy
Green Bay’s focused attention on Young at his Pro Day reveals an interesting wrinkle in their approach to the draft. Because of the Micah Parsons trade, the Packers do not hold a first-round pick this year. Their first selection arrives in the second round at pick No. 52 overall.
Draft projections for Young vary significantly, with some analysts placing him late in the first round and others slotting him firmly into the middle of the second. This meeting signals two distinct possibilities for the front office. First, the Packers are doing comprehensive due diligence just in case a premier defensive talent slides down the board to their current position. Second, general manager Brian Gutekunst might utilize his remaining draft capital to trade up and secure the Missouri standout. Gutekunst rarely hesitates to maneuver up the draft board when he identifies a player who perfectly matches his vision.
Preparing for Draft Day
The Green Bay Packers clearly want to add raw power and toughness to their defensive line. Zion Young represents an intriguing blend of immediate run-stopping ability and untapped pass-rushing potential. As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, fans should monitor his draft stock closely. Whether Green Bay trades up to secure him or waits patiently at pick No. 52, Young remains a highly viable target to help elevate this new-look defense.
