Senior Bowl Buzz: Missouri DE Zion Young Is Turning Heads — And He Screams Dennis Allen
Helping the defense will be priority one for the Chicago Bears going into 2026. Ranking 29th overall and 23rd in points allowed won’t cut it if you want to win a championship. That means defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will have a strong voice in the scouting process alongside GM Ryan Poles. It may also mark the first time since 2018 that the Bears select a defensive player in the 1st round. If that is the case, one name they may want to start paying attention to is Zion Young from Missouri.
The defensive end had a breakout season in 2025, collecting 6.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss. The big concern with him was his lack of pass rush moves, which had held him back through his first three years in college. It appears he made strides in that department. He’s 6’5, 262 lbs, has plenty of power, and is a standout athlete. All of that was on display at the Senior Bowl, where he spent practice dominating every offensive tackle he lined up against. It wasn’t a fair fight.
Zion Young is the exact type of player Allen covets.
One thing we’ve learned about the Bears’ defensive coordinator is that he covets size. He likes his defensive linemen big and long. That is why they pursued Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency and drafted Shemar Turner in the 2nd round. Unfortunately, neither of them managed to become major contributors, primarily due to season-ending injuries. It isn’t hard to imagine the Bears adding another body to the mix, and the 1st round feels like the perfect place to get one.
Most experts projected Zion Young as a solid 2nd round option when the pre-draft process began. If he continues looking like he has for the rest of Senior Bowl week, he will immediately boost himself into the 1st round conversation. Chicago selects 25th overall. It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine they’d have Young circled on their board for that spot. He is an evolving pass rusher who was already a capable run defender. Allen covets such versatility. Keep the name in mind.