The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might still get the last laugh.
After much derision over not adding an edge rusher in free agency, there still might be hope for what’s been a lost position, for the most part, over the last few seasons.
Part of that movement toward the good might be drafting an edge rusher early in the 2026 NFL draft — something the Buccaneers are showing they’re in the market for.
“The Buccaneers are hosting Missouri pass-rusher Zion Young on a top-30 visit today, per source,” NFL reporter Arye Pulli wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “One of the busier prospects in this class.”
Young, 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, has over 10 reported pre-draft visits with NFL teams after putting up career highs of 8.0 sacks, 16.5 TFL, 48 QB pressures, and 2 forced fumbles in 2025.
Series of Concerning Off-Field Incidents
While Young has incredible upside, he also has a lengthy history of off-field incidents that should raise red flags among NFL teams.
In 2 seasons at Michigan State to start his college career, Young made 11 starts in 20 career games with just 2.5 sacks. He became much more well-known for what he did after a game than anything he ever did in one.
In 2023, Young was 1 of 7 Michigan State players arrested after they jumped a pair of Michigan players in the tunnel following a 49-0 loss to the Wolverines. He was suspended from the team and eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault.
Young played his final 2 seasons for Missouri and ran into trouble at the end of his breakout season in 2025 when he was arrested on DWI charges.
“Missouri football defensive end Zion Young was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, speeding, and a failure to properly affix a license plate to his vehicle, per Missouri State Highway Patrol arrest records,” The Columbia Daily Tribune’s Calum McAndrew wrote on December 13. “Young, 21, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. in Boone County. He was later released on summons for the above charges.”
Pre-Draft Comparison to NFL All-Pro Pass Rusher
Young drew a comparison to NFL All-Pro edge rusher and 3-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith in his pre-draft evaluation from NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein.
“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 … Young’s physical tools and rugged demeanor give him a chance to be an instant run-stopping upgrade with average rush.”
As it stands now, the Buccaneers have just 1 edge rusher they can rely on with YaYa Diaby, who has led the team in sacks 2 of his 1st 3 seasons.
“I loved the Bucs passing on the top of the edge market,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote on Thursday. “I know Bucs fans were hoping for a Maxx Crosby trade or a Trey Hendrickson signing, but I think the edge rusher market got out of control this offseason, and I don’t fault GM Jason Licht for skipping out.”
Bucs Host Controversial 6-foot-6, 262-Pound Edge Rusher Prospect