The San Francisco 49ers have long built their defensive identity from the defensive front out, and the next phase of that approach could be even more imposing.
With Nick Bosa set to return healthy along with 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams, the framework is already in place.
But adding Missouri's Zion Young would further solidify a front seven that’s trending toward being one of the league’s most physically dominant units, and Young’s performance at the Senior Bowl has only strengthened that case.
One of the steadier edge defenders in Mobile, Young has consistently won reps with play strength, leverage, and an evident pass-rush plan. He plays with heavy hands, a coiled lower half, and the ability to collapse the edge rather than simply run around it. That approach has translated well during Senior Bowl practices, particularly in one-on-one settings where his bull rush and long-arm moves have forced tackles to anchor early and abandon depth.
While Young isn’t a pure bend-and-burst rusher, his game is far more well-rounded than that label might suggest. He understands how to work through blocks, keep his chest clean, and disengage at the right moment. Against the run, he’s reliable setting the edge and squeezing gaps -- traits that matter in a San Francisco defense that demands discipline and physicality from its edge players.
The fit with the Niners is straightforward.
Zion Young is forcing 49ers to notice him at Senior Bowl
With Bosa and Williams commanding attention off the edges, Young would rarely be the focal point of protection schemes -- that environment plays to his strengths. He’s at his best when he can attack vertically with power, reduce the pocket, and clean up plays created by chaos elsewhere. His ability to rush inside on stunts and games also meshes well with how San Francisco likes to manufacture pressure.
Inside, the 49ers have quietly assembled a promising young group with CJ West and Alfred Collins. Adding Young to that youth-infused mix at varying alignments would give San Francisco a front that can win with force, just as much as finesse. The cumulative effect matters -- offenses wear down when every rep demands physical answers, even if the sack totals don’t always come from one player.
Overall, Young’s Senior Bowl week has reinforced his NFL readiness. He’s been consistent, assignment-sound, and productive without needing to rely on gimmicks. That reliability, paired with his power profile, suggests a player whose game should translate cleanly on Sundays, even without elite bend.
For the 49ers, Young represents smart roster construction: a strong, dependable edge who complements star talent and enhances the collective front.
And in the right role, his impact could be felt well beyond the stat sheet.