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2020 NFL Draft: Zack Baun presents intriguing value in middle rounds

By Cory Kinnan

MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers intercepts a pass intended for Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers intercepts a pass intended for Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Shannon Brooks #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Shannon Brooks #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Baun’s Production

His redshirt freshman season in 2016, Baun finished the year with nine solo tackles, three stops behind the line of scrimmage, and a forced fumble. He appeared in only nine games and played sparingly for the Badgers’ defense. He then missed all year in 2017 when he re-broke the same foot that caused him to redshirt as a freshman.

Last year, in 13 games, Baun tallied 37 solo tackles, seven and a half tackles for loss, two and a half sacks, and an interception for the Badgers; he defended an additional two passes as well. Heading into his senior year, Baun was relatively unknown and off the radar of NFL teams and scouts; he has, however, changed that perception with his play this year.

In 12 games this year with the Badgers, the senior edge rusher has seen his production take a massive increase to 44 solo tackles, 18.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 11.5 sacks off the edge. Baun has added another interception to his numbers that he took to the house, defended two additional passes, and forced two fumbles.

Production is, however, only a piece of the puzzle as the film has to show traits that will translate to the next level. We dive into Baun’s film grade now.

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