2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin Badgers
Career Snapshot
Two-year starter who earned Second Team All-America honors as a senior and finished second in the conference with 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, behind only Ohio State’s Chase Young. Added 76 tackles and forced two fumbles during the 2019 season. Made 63 tackles (7.5 for loss) with 2.5 sacks as a junior. Missed the 2017 campaign after he suffered a foot injury before the season.
Positives
Undersized linebacker who flashes athleticism. Agile and breaks down well. Easily changes direction and immediately alters his angle of attack. Fluidly moves to any direction of the field and displays speed off the edge and in pursuit. Fires to the action, plays physical football and gives effort. Gets depth on pass drops and displays good movement skills.
Negatives
Knocked back by blocks or taken from the action altogether. Out of position last year as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the Badgers’ system. Looked terrible during coverage drills at Senior Bowl practices. Needs a lot of work on his game.
Analysis
At first glance, Baun projects as a weakside linebacker and should be effective in space. While he flashed athleticism throughout his career, his results during Senior Bowl practices dictate otherwise. Baun possesses the underlying size and speed to play at the next level, but he must really develop a complete game.