NFL analyst says Ravens got value in Zion Young despite low sack totals

It's easy to look at the number. It's harder to understand the impact. Commit that to memory. The advice will serve you well. As the Baltimore Ravens continue reshaping their pass rush, much of the early conversation around Zion Young centered on one stat: his sack total. On the surface, it's easy to see why. We're talking about an elite pass rusher. He registered 6.5 sacks? That doesn't immediately jump off the page, but that's exactly why ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is urging skeptics to exercise a little caution.

He grades Baltimore's draft weekend a 'B+' effort. There's a lot to be excited about here, but no one has to tell one of 'the worldwide leader in sports' that, nor is there a need to share that with a long-time draft voice.

"I like this pick for a lot of reasons. He was No. 22 on my board, and the Ravens got him at No. 45. He might have had just 6.5 sacks, but he did have 46 pressures, and with his motor, quickness, and power combination, he should start converting some of those into QB takedowns."

Kiper also points to Young's prowess as a run defender, mentioning that his run-stuffing ability can't be overstated. He can halt running backs on the edge. As Kiper mentions, he notched 26 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage and 16 run stops last season.

"According to DeCosta, the original plan in the pursuit of Crosby was to pair him with Trey Hendrickson, going all-in on fixing a dreadful pass rush. The Ravens were 28th in sacks (30) and pass rush win rate (29.9%) last season, with defensive tackle Travis Jones leading the team with five sacks... Part of the allure to Crosby was his run-blocking and three-down ability, and Young will bring some of that to the table."

This is a conversation about production vs. disruption, but with Young, the Ravens don't have to prioritize one over the other. That's the key. Sacks only tells part of the story. Pressures tell more. Young consistently affected quarterbacks, even when the stat sheet didn't fully reflect that. That ability to collapse the pocket, force uncomfortable throws, and disrupt timing is exactly what Baltimore lacked last season, and that's why this pick matters, because the Ravens weren't just looking for a finisher. They needed a disruptor. Young seems to be a sufficient answer. That isn't necessarily because of who he already is, but more because of who he projects himself to become, and if the pressures turn into sacks, as Kiper believes they will, this conversation changes quickly.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Mel Kiper praises Zion Young’s upside beyond sack numbers