Zack Baun was a surprising faller during Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft as he slipped from being a perceived late-first or early-second round pick to No. 74 where the New Orleans Saints traded up to draft him.
The former Badger now joins a stacked defense in New Orleans with the likes of Malcolm Jenkins, Demario Davis, Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins.
If the Saints had one weakness in 2019 it was pass-rushing productivity behind the team-leading 15.5 sacks of their Pro-Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan. Well if there’s one thing Baun does best it’s get after the quarterback, seen best with his 12.5 sacks from a season ago.
Baun overall has a great chance to see the field early due to this void behind Jordan in the pass rush as he will likely battle with former-first round pick Marcus Davenport for reps out wide at defensive end and with Alex Anzalone for reps at linebacker.
Additionally, Baun’s versatility will play to his advantage in New Orleans as defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will look to use him as a pass rusher, run defender and stand-up linebacker in pass coverage.
In terms of team pedigree and total fit this is a great one for Baun as he fell to an extremely-successful franchise with a history of winning. The Saints have also been one of the best defensive teams in the NFL over the last few years and have players all over the defense that will help Baun find himself in positions to succeed from day one.
As to how the Wisconsin native fell this far in the draft? Who knows. But the Saints clearly valued his skillset enough to trade up to select him at No. 74, therefore making it seem like they will utilize him early and often on defense.
So, in total, head coach Sean Peyton‘s team represents a great fit for Baun to begin his NFL career as he works to prove wrong the teams that let him fall all the way to No. 74 overall.