Tag: Zach Baun

Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Linebackers

The Lions Wire staff has identified which linebackers Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the linebackers won’t take the field until Saturday, February 29th. One interesting note about some of the players in this group is that while they will work out with the linebackers, they may play another role in the Lions scheme.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, interior defensive linemen, and EDGE rushers previews.

Off-the-ball linebacker traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for the linebackers are:

  • Lateral movement should be smooth and quick.
  • Reaction to instructions, too many times prospects guess the command and make mistakes.
  • Can they turn and unlock their hips when dropping into coverage?
  • Head up and eyes on the ball.
  • Which linebackers take place in EDGE rushing drills? How do they perform under those expectations?

Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

Suggested by: Bryce Rossler

Simmons was a chess piece at Clemson, seeing snaps at free safety, strong safety, over the slot, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and outside corner. And at the college level, he played all of them at a high level.

In the NFL, he likely won’t have that positional range, and depending on the scheme, he may be labeled either a linebacker or a safety. At the Combine, he will work out with the linebackers, but with the Lions, he would likely find the most success at the safety level, in Tavon Wilson’s role.

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Blessed with both speed and quickness, Simmons uses his rare athleticism to win in coverage, stop the run, and get home on disguised blitzes.

The Lions deploy three-safety sets roughly 50-percent of defensive snaps, and pairing him with Tracy Walker — along with last years third-rounder Will Harris in the third safety role — would give the Lions an instant upgrade in the secondary.

Zach Baun, Wisconsin

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

Baun played outside linebacker in Wisconsin 34 scheme, alternating between rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. Due to his build (6-2.5, 240, with 31.13″ arms) and skill set, he is better suited for an off-the-ball role, and with the Lions, he is a natural fit for the Christian Jones role.

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Comfortable operating in space, Baun is a plus athlete who uses his intelligence, instincts, lateral quickness, and internal drive to flow to the ball all over the field.

Josh Uche, Michigan

Suggested by: Scott Warheit

Uche spent his first few years at Michigan adding weight and learning techniques as a situational stand-up pass rusher before finally earning a starting role in 2019. Like Baun, Uche is comfortable bending the edge and dropping into space, but Uche’s arm length (33.25″) and athleticism, makes him a player who will spend more time rushing the passer.

At 241-pounds, Uche is a bit undersized to be an every-down JACK linebacker in the Lions scheme, but his ability to drop into coverage and insane speed/bend off the edge makes him a unique prospect that is the perfect fit at SAM and WILL linebacker spots in a multiple scheme.

Malik Harrison, Ohio State

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff and Ty Finch

After examining three hybrid defenders in Simmons, Baun, and Uche, Harrison represents the first true off-the-ball linebacker on this list. Harrison has the size (6-2.5, 246 at Senior Bowl), speed, range, and power the Lions look for at their MIKE and WILL positions. He is gap sound, a complete run defender, and has shown some cover skills, which would make him an instant competitor in most schemes.

Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech

Suggested by: Matt Urben

With speed, athleticism, and plus instincts, Brooks (est. 6-0, 241) is not talked about enough in the Lions community. He is a downhill, productive, run-stuffing inside linebacker, who fits the mold of a Lions linebacker, including struggling to cover tight ends and running backs. If the Lions plan on moving on from Jarrad Davis when his contract expires after this season, Brooks could be a target to develop and mix into a starter rotation in 2021.

Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State

Suggested by: Sonja Greenfield and Derek Okrie

Like Simmons, Davis-Gaither (6-1.5, 219 at Senior Bowl) would be a hang defender in the Lions scheme, but without the range to play deep safety. Davis-Gaither can rush the passer, cover the slot, and will be one of the quickest athletes on the field at any given time. If you like Miles Killebrew, then you’ll love Davis-Gaither, as he can do a lot of the same things Killebrew can, but with less power and more speed.

Troy Dye, Oregon

Suggested by: Max Gerber

Like Davis-Gaither, Dye (est. 6-3, 218) is another hang defender with speed to burn and strong tackling skills. In Detroit, he would play in the Killebrew role as a potential four-down defender, who would backup at WILL linebacker, see coverage work in obvious passing situations, with his skills truly shining on special teams.

Evan Weaver, California

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt

When watching Senior Bowl practices, Weaver stood out for being gap sound, recognizing the play early, and beating the offensive player to the correct hole. He has terrific football instincts and his anticipation shows up rep after rep. He attacks downhill with tenacity but won’t win any athleticism competitions, and at 6-2, 239 pounds, fits the profile of a Lions linebacker.

Shaq Quarterman, Miami

Suggested by: Zack Moran

Loaded with experience at the MIKE, Quarterman jumped onto the big stage as a true freshman. Quarterman is a two-down defender who attacks with power but lacks the range and athleticism to stay on the field in traditional third-down situations. He has a long history of production and rarely misses opportunities to make tackles, which will help him be an instant impact starter on special teams and reserve interior linebacker.

7 standout draft prospects from the 2020 Senior Bowl the Ravens should be interested in

The Baltimore Ravens might have had to change up their draft board after a handful of 2020 NFL draft prospects stood out at the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is one last chance for NFL scouts and general managers to get a live look at draft prospects practicing and playing before the 2020 NFL draft. A bunch of the top players in the country all facing off against one another, it’s a great test for some prospects that might have been previously ignored or undervalued.

As happens every year, a handful of prospects really shined above the rest and likely helped their draft stock. With general manager Eric DeCosta now in charge of the Baltimore Ravens, those that drew the spotlight could draw the attention of the team come draft night. Let’s take a look at seven standouts at the 2020 Senior Bowl that the Ravens should be interested in drafting.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

EDGE Bradlee Anae, Utah

Anae proved how athletic and disruptive he can be after posting three sacks in the Senior Bowl, including two on mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts. Even when Anae wasn’t registering sacks, he was in the quarterbacks’ faces and creating big plays elsewhere like this interception that came from his pressure.

Pass rusher is easily the biggest concern for Baltimore heading into this offseason. With how Anae performed in live game action, he might have cemented himself as a Day 2 prospect Baltimore can grab and immediately use as a situation pass rusher.

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Zach Baun Senior Bowl notes, part two

More on Zach Baun at the Senior Bowl

As the NFL Draft draws closer, the Badgers Wire is taking a look at the Badgers up for selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Badgers have put a lot of talent in this year’s NFL Draft, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that every Badger in the Draft has been front and center for post-collegiate all-star bowls like the Senior Bowl or NFLPA Bowl. For those Badgers that are in the draft and participating in these bowls, Badgers Wire wanted to take a closer look. 

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun has been down in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl as the Badgers’ lone representative. The first day of practice seemed to go fairly well for Baun, who also seemed to stand out in one-on-one drills leading up to practice. It seems more likely that he would transition to linebacker at the next level, but there’s a lot to like about him as an overall prospect. 

In order to gain a sense of how Baun has been performing, Badgers Wire reached out to contacts at the Senior Bowl to check on Baun’s progress. Badgers Wire will continue to check on Baun throughout the Senior Bowl and in his preparation for the NFL Draft. 

In order to get a sense of where Baun was at on Day Two, Joe Goodberry of the Athletic Cincinnati gave Badgers Wire a sense of how Baun performed on the second day of Senior Bowl practice. 

“Zack Baun has been doing drills at both linebacker and defensive line and has had moments of success at each,” Goodberry said. “Showing some nice speed to chase the ball, Baun has taken to playing inside linebacker. On one particular play, he noticed the guard pulling backside and pointed it out to his partner at linebacker as the play was in motion. The other end of that play was that Baun was taken out easily by the Ohio State guard and the run went for a touchdown. 

“This would happen again in 11-on-11 when the North Carolina offensive tackle would get hands on Baun and strong-arm the Wisconsin linebacker to the ground as the back gained big yardage. In all, I like the way Baun moves and his versatility, but he had a tough day two.”

Freelance reporter Josh Webb contributed to this report.

Zach Baun Senior Bowl notes, part one

More on Zach Baun at the Senior Bowl

As the NFL Draft draws closer, the Badgers Wire is taking a look at the Badgers up for selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Badgers have put a host of talent in this year’s NFL Draft, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that every Badger in the draft has been front and center for post-collegiate all-star bowls like the Senior Bowl or NFLPA Bowl. But for those Badgers that are in the Draft and participating in these bowls, Badgers Wire wanted to take a closer look. 

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun has been down in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl as the Badgers’ lone representative. While the practice just began this week, Baun has the distinct duty of being the only rep at the Senior Bowl for the Badgers. He might not be the highest-rated Wisconsin player, but he’s an aggressive and intelligent player who should find playing time in the NFL. 

In order to gain a sense of how Baun has been performing, Badgers Wire reached out to those on hand at the Senior Bowl to check on Baun’s progress. Badgers Wire will continue to check on Baun throughout the Senior Bowl and in his preparation for the NFL Draft. In order to get a sense of where Baun was at on Day One, Patrick Carlisle of LB3 Scouting stepped up to the plate with the assist. 

“This week Baun is one of a group of players that has gotten work both at linebacker and as a pass rusher,” Carlisle said. “Coming in at 6-foot-two and 240-pounds, he would be too light to be a full time pass rusher so continuing to get him work at both positions is a good idea for his future. He has continued to shine as a pass rusher consistently winning against some solid Senior Bowl offensive tackles with speed and technique. In linebacker drills he showed solid coverage skills for a guy who was more of a pass rusher in college. A player with his combination of movement ability and pass-rush skill will be able to find a role with an NFL team even if it does not begin as a full-time role.”

Freelance reporter Josh Webb contributed to this report.