Zack

Baun

A 2020 third-rounder, Baun is mostly a space-filling situational pass rusher whose only two career sacks came in 2023. Already headed into his age-28 campaign, he’s not a projectable flier for a retooling Eagles defense.

A former Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Year winner for his dual-threat quarterbacking as a senior at Brown Deer High, Baun (6’2/238) buoyed that athleticism into consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors with 73 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks (second only to Ohio State’s Chase Young) as a redshirt senior. Baun was deployed in a hybrid edge role with the Badgers but will likely transition as an off-ball outside linebacker given his smaller frame and elite explosiveness, including an unprecedented 99th-percentile 10-yard split (1.54 seconds) and 4.65 40-time. “You’re talking about a defensive end playing inside linebacker...That’s a whole different world,” one anonymous scout said. Baun admittedly needs more technical refinement to be a truly impactful player at the next level, but he’s versatile enough to open the year as a rotational player immediately.

A former Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Year winner for his dual-threat quarterbacking as a senior at Brown Deer High, Baun (6’2/238) buoyed that athleticism into consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors with 73 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks (second only to Ohio State’s Chase Young) as a redshirt senior. Baun was deployed in a hybrid edge role with the Badgers but will likely transition as an off-ball outside linebacker given his smaller frame and elite explosiveness, including an unprecedented 99th-percentile 10-yard split (1.54 seconds) and 4.65 40-time. “You’re talking about a defensive end playing inside linebacker...That’s a whole different world,” one anonymous scout said. Baun admittedly needs more technical refinement to be a truly impactful player at the next level, but he’s versatile enough to open the year as a rotational pass rusher with the ability to excel in coverage immediately.

Baun (6'2/238) ran a 4.65 40-yard dash and posted jump totals of 32.5 in the vertical and 115 inches in the broad. Baun was considered by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler to be the third best LB in the 2020 class and a first-round worthy talent. His 12.5 sacks and 91.5 PFF edge-rush grade in 2019 show the ability to rush the passer as Baun’s motor and athleticism projects to a future off-ball linebacker position. Whether he is selected by the Bengals or not, Baun will be coming off the board in short order once the second round of the draft resumes.

That is the same as a failure in the NFL’s eyes. Baun claims it was the result of overhydrating ahead of his weigh-in. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes, this will not count as a strike against Baun under the league’s new CBA. An off-ball linebacker who is still successful at getting after the passer, Baun has been considered a Day 1 pick, though he is ancient (24 in December) for a first-year pro.

PFF gave Baun (6'2/238) a pass rush grade of 91.0 when he went up against offensive tackles off the edge last season, and he also clocked in with a 10-yard split of 1.54 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. That combination of pass rushing ability and speed could work well in Baltimore, as according to Renner the Ravens blitzed on an NFL-high 54.3% of passing plays last season. Baun is projected to be a Day 1 selection, with the Ravens currently holding the 28th overall pick.

Baun (6'2/238) was less than impressive in his jumps (32.5 inches vertically, 115 inches broad) but that 40-yard dash time was solidly where it needed to be, if unspectacular. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Baun as the No. 3 linebacker in the class, with Brugler a fan of Baun’s combination of base athleticism, never-say-die motor and general instincts/football IQ.

Baun was outstanding in 2019 for the Badgers, and was recently compared to Clay Matthews by NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein. Brugler notes that while he had impressive sack totals in college (12.5 in 2019), he projects best as an off-ball linebacker at the next level; albeit one who can certainly get to the quarterback as a blitzer. As he summarizes: “Overall, Baun’s evaluation requires some projection because he won’t be a full-time rusher in the NFL, but he displays the fluid athleticism, smarts and motor to line up as a stack linebacker and nickel pass rusher, projecting as a first-round pick.” Not too shabby for a player that many believed was a mid-round pick at best coming into the year.

If for nothing else, the Matthews comparison fits with respect to versatility. Baun, though primarily a pass-rushing outside linebacker, can play an off-ball position and some analysts expect him to move there full-time. Matthews is in the same boat. An outside linebacker by trade, Matthews has spent time playing inside linebacker my necessity at various points when he was with Green Bay. However, Baun (6'3/235) will have to really exceed expectations in order to meet Matthews’ stellar NFL Combine profile.

Baun (6'3"/235) was named one of only six players listed as finalists for the Butkus Award which honors the most outstanding linebacker in the country. He was an absolute force for the Badgers defense this season racking up 71 tackles, 51 solo, 12.5 sacks, two forced-fumbles and an interception. Though Baun is a little light for an NFL edge rusher at 235 pounds, he’s quick, agile and has been successful in numerous phases of defense. He is firmly on the NFL radar and could have his name called as early as Day 2.