The Baltimore Ravens entered Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mandate: find pass-rushing help and add more playmaking juice to an offense that has relied heavily on its ground game and tight ends. Based on the selections made Friday night, general manager Eric DeCosta appears to have accomplished both objectives.
With the 58th overall pick in the second round, the Ravens selected Missouri EDGE rusher Zion Young, a powerful, high-motor defender who projects as a versatile chess piece along the defensive front. Then, in the third round at pick No. 80, they added some much-needed explosiveness to the wide receiver room by grabbing USC's Ja'Kobi Lane, a 6-foot-4 boundary target with a knack for winning contested catches.
These are not just warm bodies thrown at positional needs. Both picks carry specific traits that align with what the Ravens have historically valued in their prospects. Let's break down what each player brings to Baltimore and how they fit into the team's present and future.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri: A Grown Man's Game
The Ravens have long been known for their blue-collar defensive identity. They want defenders who can set the edge against the run, rush the passer with relentless effort, and play with a nasty disposition. Zion Young checks all those boxes.
At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Young has the frame of a traditional 4-3 defensive end, but his skill set translates beautifully to Baltimore's hybrid scheme. He spent time at Missouri playing both as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end and as a stand-up rusher in sub-packages. That versatility is exactly what the Ravens' defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver, looks for in an outside linebacker or defensive end.
Young's most noticeable trait is his power. He has heavy hands and the ability to shock offensive tackles at the point of attack. He uses a violent, well-timed rip move to get under the pads of blockers, and he shows impressive lower-body strength to drive through blocks even when he doesn't win cleanly. On early downs, he is a tone-setter against the run, anchoring firmly and using his length to stack and shed.
But the Ravens didn't draft him just to stop the run. They need someone who can consistently generate pressure opposite whatever veteran presence remains on the edge. Young was a productive pass rusher at Missouri, posting 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in his final season. While he is not a pure bend-the-edge speed rusher--he wins more with power and leverage than with twitch--he has developed a counter move with a long arm that keeps tackles off-balance. His motor is relentless; he chases plays from the backside and does not take snaps off.
The biggest area for growth is his pass-rush plan. In college, he sometimes relied too heavily on power and didn't always sequence his moves effectively. The Ravens' defensive line coach will need to refine his repertoire, but the raw tools are there. If Young can add a more consistent dip-and-rip or a spin move to his arsenal, he could develop into a double-digit sack player.
Draft analysts compared him to the kind of gritty, do-it-all edge defender who doesn't wow at the combine but wins on Sundays because of his work ethic and physicality. In Baltimore, he will likely compete for snaps immediately in the edge rotation, with the potential to become an every-down player by his second season.
Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC: A Red-Zone Mismatch
When the Ravens selected Ja'Kobi Lane in the third round, it signaled that the front office is serious about diversifying the passing attack. For years, the narrative around Baltimore has been a lack of proven receivers, especially those who can win vertically or in contested situations. Lane, at 6-foot-4 with a 39-inch vertical, is the kind of basketball-on-grass receiver who can change that perception.
Playing at USC in a high-volume passing offense, Lane emerged as a favorite target in the red zone and on third down. He uses his frame to shield defenders from the ball, and he has strong, reliable hands that rarely let passes hit the turf. In 2025, he hauled in 11 touchdown receptions, many of them coming on slants, back-shoulder fades, and jump balls in the end zone. For a team that has often lacked a true "go up and get it" target, Lane is a breath of fresh air.
His route running is still a work in progress. He is not going to separate with sharp, sudden breaks like a slot receiver. Instead, he wins with body positioning and catch radius. The Ravens' offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, will likely use him on intermediate routes where his size creates a natural advantage, as well as on corner routes and deep overs where he can high-point the football.
Lane's addition also provides insurance and competition for a receiving corps that has seen significant turnover in recent years. He fits the profile of what the Ravens have lacked: a big, physical boundary receiver who can move the chains and score in the red zone. If he hits his ceiling, he could become a 1,000-yard target who regularly wins 50-50 balls.
One concern is his ability to consistently separate against NFL cornerbacks who are more technically sound than what he faced in the Pac-12. He will need to refine his release package and learn to better disguise his routes. But if the Ravens scheme him open with play-action and motion--two staples of their offense--he should be productive early.
How They Fit on the Roster
The 2026 Ravens are a team built to contend now. The defense still has its core identity, but it needed an infusion of young pass-rush talent. Young provides that. He can step into the rotation immediately as a second-year player who has faced SEC competition. Expect him to play between 25-35 snaps per game as a rookie, with an emphasis on early downs and pass-rushing situations.
Offensively, the Ravens have a dynamic quarterback and a solid running game. What they have lacked in recent seasons is a receiver who can consistently create mismatches in the red zone. Lane addresses that directly. He is not a burner, but he is a jump-ball specialist. In a division with physical defensive backs, having a 6-foot-4 target who can box out defenders is a weapon the Ravens have desperately needed.
The third-round pick also gives the team flexibility. If Lane develops quicker than expected, the Ravens could move on from expensive veterans and invest cap space elsewhere. If he takes time, they have a solid developmental piece who could peak in Year 2 or 3.
Final Verdict: Two Needs, Two Fits
The Ravens entered this draft with clear needs at EDGE and wide receiver. They exited Day 2 with two players who fit their roster construction philosophy: tough, high-character, and scheme-versatile.
Zion Young is the kind of player who will win over fans with his effort and physicality. He may not rack up double-digit sacks immediately, but he will set the edge, disrupt the pocket, and provide the kind of depth every contending team needs. Ja'Kobi Lane is the boom-or-bust pick that could pay off in a big way. If he becomes the red-zone threat he was at USC, the Ravens' offense will have a new dimension.
Neither pick is a home run in the traditional sense--but in the second and third rounds, teams are looking for starters and high-end role players. Based on Friday's selections, it appears the Ravens got both.
The rest of the draft and the undrafted free agent period will fill out the back end of the roster, but the core of this class is already taking shape. And for a team that came close last season, these additions could be the pieces that push them over the top.
