It goes without saying the Chicago Bears are aiming to improve their pass rush at the NFL Draft, but could Zion Young be the answer to their prayers?
Young is coming off an impressive final season with the Missouri Tigers, having been voted a team captain and starting all 13 games for the squad.
He racked up an impressive 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, both tops on the team, and he was named a first-team All-SEC member for his efforts.
NBC Chicago’s Lou Canellis is quick to praise both Young’s quickness and his ability to stop the run, which would certainly help a Bears squad that was one of the worst teams in the league last season in rushing yards allowed.
There are some off-field concerns about Young after he was stopped by police and charged with drinking while intoxicated in December, but it’s still assumed that he’ll either be drafted in the late first round or the early second round.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has had the Bears taking Young in his last two mock drafts, looking to bolster what was one of the league’s worst pass rushes last season. He also noted the Bears haven’t spend a first-round pick on a pass rusher since taking Leonard Floyd all the way back in the 2016 season, and he believes the team will change that this year.
There are a few other concerns as well, as NFL.com’s scouting report is critical of his top-end speed and pointed to his struggles against offensive linemen with longer arms.
His strength was praised by the scouting report, and he has shown an ability to defeat double-team blocks. He also has good footwork and good lean on his rushes.
