March 21, 2026, 6:56 a.m. ET
Defensive end remains a need that the Indianapolis Colts must continue to tackle, so that is the position group that was addressed in The Athletic’s beat writer mock draft.
On the clock at pick No. 47 in the second round, James Boyd had the Colts pick Missouri pass rusher Zion Young.
“Young is a no-brainer selection for the Colts,” wrote Boyd. “The former Missouri star had 6.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss during his final college season. Young, who is 6-6 and weighs 262 pounds, would compete for a starting role opposite 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu.”
Listed at 6-5 – 262, Young had a breakout year in 2025, recording 56 pressures and eight sacks. Out of 100 eligible defensive ends, Young ranked 19th in pass rush win rate. He also graded out as one of PFF’s better run defenders among his position group.
Young is listed as Mel Kiper’s second-ranked defensive end on his big board. PFF has Young at No. 7 among edge defenders and the 40th-ranked prospect overall.
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For more on Young, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had this to say in his pre-draft scouting report:
“Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level,” Zierlein wrote. “Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room. He majors in block destruction using base power and aggression to play through opponents. He extends and locks out as an edge-setter and sheds when needed, but his pursuit speed and range are average. He has the power to bull rush or drive through edges, but lacks instincts and variety in his rush approach.”
The Colts have already made a few additions to the defensive end position in free agency, signing Arden Key and Micheal Clemons. However, while those signings boost the rotational depth, ideally, GM Chris Ballard still lands a more high-impact presence to pair with Laiatu Latu.