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2020 NFL Draft: Wisconsin’s Zack Baun Can Do It All

By Dan Matney

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 08: Elijah Lilly #19 of the New Mexico Lobos is brought down by Andrew Van Ginkel #17 and Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 08: Elijah Lilly #19 of the New Mexico Lobos is brought down by Andrew Van Ginkel #17 and Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Zack Baun is off to a strong start this season, and he’s one of the most versatile linebackers in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound redshirt senior has played a crucial role in the Badgers’ early defensive success. Baun has registered a sack in each of his first three games and has already surpassed his sack total from last season. He really got after the passer against Michigan and made a few plays that evaporated any hopes of a Wolverines comeback.

Baun has two sack-fumbles this year and, as you can see, he possesses power coming off the edge.

He has solid quickness coming off the edge and flashes an effective spin move. He has a tendency to get a little too far upfield as an edge rusher, although he’s flashed a counter move. Baun is really effective looping to the interior and he’s made a handful of impressive plays doing so.

Baun is a talented collegiate pass rusher but the most valuable thing about him is his ability in coverage. He is a fluid athlete that possesses good speed and impressive lateral agility. He has fluid hips and quick feet and transitions with smoothly in coverage.

He displays a good feel for his zone and awareness dropping downfield. He’s effective covering the flats and the Badgers ask him to cover the slot at times.

Baun isn’t asked to do much in man coverage, but his length and athletic traits show promise developing in this area.

He closes with good quickness in run support and is effective setting the edge. He’s still developing his ability to stack-and-shed, but he displays solid play strength and takes good angles in pursuit.

Baun’s versatility will allow him to get after the quarterback at the next level while he can effectively act as a stack-linebacker in both run support and coverage, similar to Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy.  He will continue to play a vital role in Wisconsin’s defensive success moving forward, and he has must watch matchups later this season against Ohio State and Iowa.

If he can continue to build on his early season success, Baun will warrant a Senior Bowl invite and could solidify himself as one of the top prospects at his position in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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