The Baltimore Ravens doubled down on using the 45th-overall pick to take an edge-rusher by selecting Zion Young in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, one year after taking Mike Green at the same stage, but the league actually gave the Ravens some historic news just moments before they picked Young.
It involves the Dallas Cowboys and the first-ever regular season game in Brazil’s capital city of Rio de Janeiro. The Ravens will face the five-time Super Bowl champions at the iconic Maracanā Stadium on Sunday, September 27 at 4:25 p.m. ET, highlighting the Week 3 schedule.
Or as the NFL posted on ‘X,’ “Week 3 in Rio is going to be a movie.”
A movie is just what the Ravens are building at the edges of their front seven. Adding former Missouri defensive end Young to four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson expands the possibilities for rookie head coach Jesse Minter and new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Young’s selection on Friday, April 25 also represents a smart two-hander from the Ravens, who addressed both sides of the line of scrimmage, following general manager Eric DeCosta passing on another edge-rusher to draft beefy guard Vega Ioane in Round 1.
Zion Young Already Familiar With Ravens
Young already knows the Ravens well, or at least he knows one member of the defense from way back when. Cornerback Nate Wiggins was Young’s teammate in high school.
Wiggins quickly posted a message to Young after his selection. It simply read, “MY REAL BLOOOOOD CMONNNNNN.”
Young acknowledged “that’s my brother,” per The Baltimore Banner’s Giana Han. She also reported Young noted he and Wiggins have “been playing together way before high school, almost from the beginning. Added Nate is one of his best friends.”
A familiar face can help Young enjoy what the Ravens need to be a quick transition. The ex-Mizzou stud must bring his power-based pass-rush game to bear for a defense that registered a mere 30 sacks last season.
Young’s partnership with Hendrickson will be crucial, but the rookie will need to remain fully focused on adapting to the pros. As Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic revealed, “The main concern could be Young’s behavior off the field. He was one of seven Michigan State players suspended and charged with assault in 2023 following a postgame altercation at Michigan. Young pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault and received probation. Last December, he was arrested and charged with suspicion of DWI, speeding and failing to properly affix his license plate.”
First-year head coach Minter will likely rely on the veterans in the Ravens’ locker room, including Hendrickson, to keep Young on track. Their experience will be the key to unlocking the undoubted physical potential of a 6-foot-5, 267-pounder who can dominate the line of scrimmage.
If Young delivers, the Ravens will have a formidable defensive front ready to unload on the Cowboys in Rio.
Cowboys Matchup a Chance to Improve International Record
The Ravens will take to foreign shores to play a meaningful game for the third time in their history. Both previous trips took them to London, England, with the Ravens losing 44-7 to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium, before beating the Tennessee Titans 24-16 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium six years later.
Facing the Cowboys gives the Ravens a chance to become winners on their travels. At a stadium steeped in sporting lore.
The Maracanā has hosted two World Cup final in Soccer. Including the legendary 1950 clash between Brazil and Uruguay that saw the latter win 2-1 in front of 200,000, mostly devastated, fans. Another final took place in 2014, when Germany outlasted Argentina thanks to a lone Mario Götze goal in extra time.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is ready to embrace the history. He proclaimed, “We are honored to be chosen for the NFL’s first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The international expansion of our great game has been remarkable. South America is home to some of the world’s most passionate sports fans, including our Ravens Flock in Brazil,” per Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink.
Bisciotti can be confident about giving the fans their money’s worth when, as StatMuse notes, the Ravens own a 6-1 all-time record against the Cowboys.
Ravens Received Historic NFL News Before Zion Young Draft Pick