[lawrence-newsletter]After former Wisconsin LB Zack Baun was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the middle of Friday’s third round, the Badger ‘backer participated in the new age of introductory press conferences. In this all-virtual draft world, draftees have been on video call’s with their new teams and local media from around the area in order to have a formal introduction to their NFL home. Here are some highlights from Baun’s conference call with the local Saints media.
Heading into the draft, a massive question about the 6-3 linebacker surrounded what position he would play at the next level. It’s a question that Baun has been changing the answer to throughout his football career. When he arrived at Wisconsin, he had been a dual threat quarterback at Brown Deer High School (Wi.). At Wisconsin, Baun showed the versatility to rush the QB and drop back in coverage. In the NFL the question was whether or not he was an edge rusher, a hybrid ‘backer, or something entirely unique. Here is what Baun had to say on the topic:
“Yeah, that’s kind of the big question. I obviously am most comfortable on the edge. That’s where I spent all my time in college. But I really just consider myself a linebacker that can do a lot of different things and I think my versatility is my biggest attribute and my biggest asset.”
Baun was also asked about his confidence in coverage ability, and his role at Wisconsin.
“I played outside linebacker mostly on the line. I got to do a lot of things in college, rushed the passer and dropped in coverage. So I’m definitely comfortable doing all of the above.”
What is Baun expecting in terms of his role with the Saints? “I just got off the phone with the linebackers coach (Michael Hodges) and he just said he’s already imagining different ways to get me involved,” said the former Badger. “I am really excited for what he’s got in store.”
Another former Badger star on the defensive side of the ball came up when Baun was asked who at the next level he studies and models himself after.
“I had a few guys that I really honed in on and studied on as far as NFL goes. It was a lot of Dee Ford, a lot of T.J. Watt being a former Badger, he helped me out with a lot. He would shoot me different pass rush clips. Hey, I think this could work, this looks like it’s in your wheelhouse and just evolving my game and I understand I can’t do a lot of things that the 6-5, 260-pound D-ends do, but I can take bits and pieces of a lot of different people’s game and implement them into mine and make my own style.”
They Saints snatched a player in the middle of the third round that many experts had pegged as a late first round pick. New Orleans landed a versatile former Badger who is ready to step in and contribute right away.
Check out Baun’s full press conference via the Saints on YouTube.