Baun to the Saints at No. 74
Like Taylor, the writers at PFF have grown to love Baun’s skillset the more they’ve watched him play. Also similar to Taylor’s draft situation, the Saints had to trade up to select Baun at No. 74.
PFF took both of these into account when analyzing the pick and the Saints’ overall draft haul.
“The Saints traded pick No. 88 and a 2021 third-round pick to Cleveland for picks Nos. 74 and 244, jumping up 14 spots to grab former Wisconsin edge defender Zack Baun,” the article reads. “He played a vast majority of his defensive snaps along the edge at the collegiate level but projects as an off-ball linebacker/edge hybrid in the NFL. His quicks and hand usage have given opposing tackles nightmares. The more we watch, the more we like. He ranked fourth among off-ball linebackers and 42nd overall on PFF’s big board.”
PFF having Baun at No. 42 on their big board and him going No. 74 overall speaks to the value the Saints received by trading up to take the former Badger.
Ask and you shall receive!
Zack Baun (as an EDGE) graded as the 5th best EDGE among all Power 5 qualifiers in 2019 89.7 – OVR grade.
He also graded as the 4th best defensive player in the Big Ten, regardless of position.
His 21.0% pressure rate was third best in the Big Ten. pic.twitter.com/V6priQWWbD
— PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) April 25, 2020
Draft slot aside now, all of their comments on Baun as a player and how he will fit in New Orleans were overwhelmingly positive, and led to their grading of the Saints’ draft a “B” despite the team only making four selections .