With The First Pick
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: Alex Hornibrook #12 and Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: Alex Hornibrook #12 and Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

A few final thoughts…

In summation, some NFL team is going to find a diamond in the rough of the later rounds in Wisconsin’s Zack Baun. He is smart, savvy, and ultra-athletic off the edge. Baun has not let two broken feet slow him down as he has continued to progress every year he has been in Camp Randall; this progression is a good sign of things to come in his future.

While he is explosive, agile, and versatile off the edge, he may just be too small to play as a pass rusher at the next level. Good news for Baun is that he has put great film in coverage and reading and reacting on film as well for the Badgers this season in case teams do want to look at him as more of an off-ball linebacker in the NFL.

2020 NFL Mock Draft after week 13. dark. Next

Baun will not be a day-one pick, and may not even be a day-two pick, but wherever he is selected, he will have a great opportunity to thrive. A three sport athlete who was prepared to contribute as a true freshman, Baun has the skillset and ability to stand out. Just wait for the Reese’s Senior Bowl and combine to see.

Baun might not make it at the next level, but I would not bet against him.

Home/NFL Draft News