It may have come later than many expected, but former Wisconsin ‘backer Zack Baun heard his name called on day two. Baun is headed to —- to be a ——-.
The Twitter discussion from the Badger family began to ramp up when Jonathan Taylor went to the Indianapolis Colts with the number 41 overall selection. Baun himself chimed in to give a shoutout to his former teammate.
AW YEAH BROTHA!! @JayT23
— Zack Baun (@zackbizzaun) April 25, 2020
Then the speculation turned to where Baun himself would land. Multiple experts covering the Dallas Cowboys felt that the former Badger was a potential target at 51.
Cowboys are on the clock in 5 picks. Top defensive players still out there:
Zack Baun, LB
Trevon Diggs, CB
A.J. Epenesa, Edge
Kristian Fulton, CB
Jaylon Johnson, CB
Terrell Lewis, LB
Curtis Weaver, edge
Jordan Elliott, DL
Justin Madubuike, DL
Marlon Davidson, DL— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 25, 2020
Cowboys four picks from being on the clock in second round. OLB Zack Baun, EDGE Josh Uche, CB Trevon Diggs, CB Jaylon Johnson, CB Kristian Fulton and DE A.J. Epenesa among prospects still available for now.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 25, 2020
After the Cowboys passed on Baun and went with CB Trevon Diggs out of Alabama, speculation turned to the Buffalo Bills picking at 53. The Bills instead went with a different Big Ten defensive stud in DE A.J. Epenesa out of Iowa. As Baun continued to slip, the New England Patriots traded up to 60 to grab a versatile Big Ten pass rusher not named Zack Baun. Michigan’s Josh Uche went to New England at 60 and the former Badger remained in limbo.
New England loves its Michigan men: DE Chase Winovich in round three last year, LB Josh Uche in round two this year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2020
All of a sudden, Baun had slipped all the way to 62, where the Green Bay Packers had the chance to keep the first-team all Big Ten performer in the state of Wisconsin. Badger analysts and websites around Twitter felt strongly about Baun going to Green Bay.
PACKERS PICK ZACK BAUN YOU COWARDS
— Bucky’s 5th Quarantine (@B5Q) April 25, 2020
The #Packers could take #Badgers Zack Baun. On The Clock.
— Mike Clemens (@MikeClemensNFL) April 25, 2020
Instead, the Packers surprised many by going with running back A.J. Dillon out of Boston College. Count former Wisconsin sharpshooter Brevin Pritzl among the surprised Packer fans.
I’m not going to pretend that I know a lot about football. But I wish someone would explain to me where the Packers are trying to do here.
— Brevin Pritzl (@LilB_Pritz1) April 25, 2020
The Kansas City Chiefs, a team that certain mock drafts linked to Baun at the end of the first round, then passed on the former Badger ‘backer at 63. All of a sudden, the second round came and went without Baun hearing his name.
Zack Baun has been the best player available on Mel Kiper's Big Board for the last seven picks. Packers go with a running back. We're approaching the end of the second round soon.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) April 25, 2020
As the picks began in the third round, the slide continued for the Brown Deer, Wisconsin native. A player that was at the end of the first round in many mock drafts was all of a sudden still on the board in the 70’s. The New Orleans Saints recognized a chance to land a steal and traded with the Cleveland Browns for pick number 74. The Saints keyed in on the Wisconsin stud and landed Baun in the middle of the third round. There were instant reactions from around the Wisconsin sports family.
Who dat?! Our man "Sack Baun"!@Saints drafting a Bayou Badger
Congrats, @zackbizzaun! 👏#OnWisconsin » #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/GE3gOq6XWW
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 25, 2020
There it is. Baun headed to the Saints at 74.
— Asher Low (@alow_33) April 25, 2020
#Badgers linebackers drafted since 2016:
Joe Schobert
Vince Biegel
T.J. Watt
Leon Jacobs
Jack Cichy
Andrew Van Ginkel
Ryan Connelly
Zack Baun pic.twitter.com/xDOe9ZDfM5— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) April 25, 2020
The Saints landed one of the most versatile prospects in the draft.
Versatile is an understatement for Zack Baun. pic.twitter.com/F2yjx7upHw
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 25, 2020
With the 74th pick in the #NFLDraft, the #Saints select LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin! ⚜️#SaintsDraft | @HancockWhitney pic.twitter.com/ucI0mo30hK
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 25, 2020
Former and current Wisconsin players all showed love for Baun.
Who Dat!!!!!
— Graham Mertz (@GrahamMertz5) April 25, 2020
Congrats @zackbizzaun !!!!! https://t.co/mRvxzMTfUo
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) April 25, 2020
Baun becomes the second Badger off the board after Taylor went to the Indianapolis Colts in the second round.