Dolphins Hosting 'Fiery' Pass Rusher Zion Young for Pre-Draft Visit

The 22-year-old Missouri product has drawn interest from teams picking late in the first round.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:35pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic movements and collisions of a football pass rush, with sharp planes of navy blue, orange, and white intersecting to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a fierce pass rush, capturing the raw energy and physicality of elite edge defenders.Today in Miami

The Miami Dolphins are continuing their pre-draft evaluation process, hosting Missouri pass rusher Zion Young for a visit. Young, a 6'6" and 262 lb prospect, has reportedly garnered interest from teams picking in the back half of the first round, including the Dolphins who hold the 11th and 30th overall selections.

Why it matters

With the departures of Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, and a down year from Chop Robinson in 2025, the Dolphins are in need of bolstering their pass rush. Young, described as a 'fiery alpha' with the size, strength and temperament for NFL trench battles, could provide the Dolphins with the type of impactful edge rusher they're seeking.

The details

Young, who has had some off-field issues including a DWI arrest in December 2025, spent two years at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri for his final two collegiate seasons. During his four-year career, he totaled 131 combined tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein praised Young's physical tools and rugged demeanor, but noted his lack of refined pass rush moves and average pursuit speed could limit his initial NFL pressure production.

  • Young visited the Dolphins on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026.

The players

Zion Young

A 22-year-old, 6'6" and 262 lb pass rusher who spent four years in college, the last two at Missouri after transferring from Michigan State. Young has drawn interest from teams picking late in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jaelan Phillips

A former Dolphins pass rusher who was traded away last season.

Bradley Chubb

A former Dolphins pass rusher who parted ways with the team this offseason.

Chop Robinson

A Dolphins pass rusher who had a down year in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level. Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com analyst

What’s next

The Dolphins will continue their evaluation of Zion Young and other top pass rush prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 23rd.

The takeaway

The Dolphins' pre-draft visit with Zion Young highlights their need to find an impactful edge rusher to bolster their defense. Young's physical tools and aggressive playing style could make him an attractive option, but his lack of refined pass rush moves may limit his immediate NFL production.