Ravens second-round pick (No. 45 overall) Zion Young has officially signed his rookie contract, per a team announcement, completing Baltimore’s 2026 draft class. The team wrapped up their other 10 pick signings relatively quickly with a total cost of just under $16 million against the 2026 salary cap.
Rookie contracts are typically a formality, but last year’s process was upset by the Texans signing No. 34 overall pick Jayden Higgins to a fully guaranteed deal. Other second-rounders soon followed, all the way up to No. 40 pick Tyler Shough. This year, players pushed for another eight-pick jump, solidified by the Falcons signing No. 48 selection Avieon Terrell to a fully guaranteed deal. That ensured that every player drafted ahead of Terrell, including Young, would also receive a fully guaranteed deal.
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Young will receive approximately $15.28 million over his four-year rookie contract ($2.82 million APY) with a $4.67 million signing bonus, per OverTheCap.
The Ravens had a first-round grade on Young, making him a no-brainer when they were on the clock at No. 45. General manager Eric DeCosta said he was the team’s 20th overall player, not far from Baltimore Beatdown’s ranking at No. 16. According to our scouting report, he projects as an instant-impact run defender with power rushing capabilities that will complement the team’s current stable of edge rushers nicely.
