Zack Baun – Page 20 – Syndication Server

Where Jonathan Taylor and other Badgers fall in the latest USA Today Mock Draft

Our friends over at USA Today’s DraftWire recently put together their latest 4-round NFL mock draft, and multiple Badgers were included. Here is where three of the top Wisconsin prospects landed: Two-time Doak Walker award winner Jonathan Taylor was …

Our friends over at USA Today’s DraftWire recently put together their latest 4-round NFL mock draft, and multiple Badgers were included. Here is where three of the top Wisconsin prospects landed:

Two-time Doak Walker award winner Jonathan Taylor was the lone Badger in the first round. USA Today’s DraftWire had him going to the Baltimore Ravens as the 28th overall selection. The Ravens could certainly use a three-down back of the Wisconsin star’s caliber. Taylor has been either a late day one back or an early day two guy in terms of most projections.

Zack Baun was the last pick of the second round (64th overall) in this particular mock draft. The former Wisconsin linebacker landed in Seattle, a defense that Pete Carroll has had at an elite level for most of the past decade. After a solid combine, most projections have had Baun as a second-round backer.

Tyler Biadasz was taken in the third round as the 78th overall selection. The former Wisconsin center ended up in Atlanta with the Falcons.

The fourth round saw a pair of Badgers fly off the board. Chris Orr went ironically to the Baltimore Ravens as the 134th overall selection, the same team that his brother Zach Orr currently coaches for and formerly played for/was drafted by in 2014. Wide-receiver Quintez Cephus went just seven picks later as the 141st overall selection by Miami.

Here is a link to the full USA Today mock draft: 2020 Mock Draft

Vikings go wide receiver, edge rusher in first round of recent mock draft simulation

If Anthony Harris stays on the Vikings, Minnesota can focus on different positions in the NFL Draft. Vikings Wire ran a full seven-round simulation and here is what came back.

If Anthony Harris ends up staying with the Vikings, the team can take an easier approach to the NFL Draft.

The Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson reported that Harris and the Vikings have been active lately in discussing a long-term extension for the safety.

Solidifying Harris at safety helps the Vikings focus on positions other than safety in the offseason. Harris, paired with fellow starting safety Harrison Smith, can help Minnesota not have to draft a corner incredibly early.

The team reportedly lost starting corners Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes in the offseason. The Vikings also saw Mackensie Alexander sign somewhere else. Corner is still a crucial pick for the team, considering the rookie could very well be a starter, but it’s no longer priority No. 1 if Harris and Smith are back deep to protect, and cover up mistakes that the corners make.

Here is how the most recent mock simulation from Vikings Wire shook out across all teams.

Here are my picks and why I chose them.

Round 1: Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy

Jeudy is an exciting choice for the Vikings in the first round, because he’s the full package. He can play in the slot or out wide. He’s an effective route-runner with big play potential and speed. I think he’d be a good pairing with Adam Thielen at wide receiver if the Vikings took him.

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Todd McShay’s two-round mock sends Chargers EDGE in second round

Todd McShay has the Los Angeles Chargers addressing the quarterback and outside linebacker position.

With the Chargers filling a handful of their positional needs in free agency, they will have a little bit more flexibility to take the best player approach.

That’s what Los Angeles does in ESPN’s Todd McShay’s latest two-round mock draft, which sees them taking former Wisconsin edge rusher Zack Baun with their second-round selection.

Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III are both set for free agency in 2021 (though Bosa isn’t likely to reach it), so edge could be a problem in the not-so-distant future. The Chargers’ 30 sacks ranked in the bottom five in 2019, and Baun had 12.5 at Wisconsin.

In a league where you can’t have too many pass rushers, the Bolts add to a corps that features Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. With both of them set to become free agents after this season, McShay sees this as an opportunity to add to the position group in case Bosa or Ingram aren’t back.

However, the Chargers still have linebacker Uchenna Nwosu who has made an impact at rushing the quarterback. If Ingram isn’t re-signed, Nwosu will likely take his spot as the LEO. Isaac Rochell has also proven his worth in that same role.

Even though Baun is likely going to primarily rush the passer at the next level, he does have the versatility to drop in coverage and defend the run, projecting as a SAM linebacker in a 4-3 system, but Kyzir White is expected to start at that position.

While Los Angeles could address the position in the draft, I don’t think it will come on Day 1 or 2. Instead, they could find value on Day 3 or look to sign an undrafted free agent. Positions like quarterback, left tackle, wide receiver and cornerback will be the priorities.

Quarterback does sit atop of the Bolts’ priority list and that’s what McShay has them addressing with the No. 6 overall selection with former Utah State’s Jordan Love.

Yes, this is a bit of a reach, but the Chargers struck out in the Tom Brady sweepstakes, and they are looking for long-term answers under center. (They can live in the short term with Tyrod Taylor.) Could free agents Cam Newton or Jameis Winston be in play? Maybe. I’m told Los Angeles likes all four of the top quarterbacks in the draft class — and this pick could end up being Oregon’s Justin Herbert, too — but Love has the arm to make NFL-caliber throws and should be available here at No. 6.

Love’s statistical decline from 2018 to 2019 has drawn some major concerns, but he has franchise quarterback traits. With NFL coaching and being able to sit and learn in Year 1, Love could develop into the future face of the franchise with Pro Bowl potential.

Locked On Badgers Podcast: Recruiting shutdown, where will Zack Baun, JT end up in the NFL Draft?

The Locked On Badgers Podcast is a daily Wisconsin basketball and football podcast bringing you short-form, daily coverage of Badgers sports Monday through Friday. On today’s episode, Asher is joined by football recruiting analyst Alec Simpson to talk about how this recruiting shutdown affects players and programs. Asher and Alec also talk Badgers in the NFL Draft.

You can listen to Locked On Badgers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you find your podcasts, Monday through Friday.

6 Lions 2nd-round options if they draft CB Jeff Okudah in the 1st

6 Lions 2nd-round options if they draft CB Jeff Okudah in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft

Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is the current flavor of the Lions mock draft selection choices at No. 3 overall. Presuming that current popular projection becomes reality, what happens next for the Lions?

Specifically, where would GM Bob Quinn and the team look with the team’s second selection, No. 35 overall in the second round?

There are quite a few paths the Lions can go down with Okudah in the fold in the first round. Without traveling down the “trade up” pathway, here are a few of my preferred routes…

A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

During the college season, Epenesa was often projected — often to the Lions — as a top-12 overall pick. The luster faded after his mediocre athletic testing, but that shouldn’t concern teams like Detroit picking in the 26-35 overall range. Here’s why.

Epenesa is a master technician with his hands, shoulders, feet and hips. Being an average athlete didn’t stop him from being wildly productive in college; he’s not dependent upon being a better athlete than the tackle trying to block him, which is not true of several other EDGE prospects in this range and is by far the biggest reason why top-50 pass rushers fail and bust.

Another thing to like about Epenesa is his frame. He played at 275 but has the body structure to get up to the 290 range in the mold of J.J. Watt, capable of playing DE in a 3 or 4-man front. He’s not that dynamic of an athlete (few humans are) but the way Epenesa won in college echoes how Watt thrived at Wisconsin.

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2020 NFL draft: Zack Baun scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Wisconsin edge defender prospect Zach Baun

Zack Baun | EDGE | Wisconsin

Elevator Pitch

Baun is a highly-athletic defender who broke out onto the scene in 2019. His range as a tackler, acceleration off the snap and motor with which he rushes the passer gives him a high ceiling at the next level. He’s a bit undersized, but NFL defensive coaches will have fun utilizing him in numerous different roles.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 238

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a front-seven defender with athleticism and versatility, Baun is your guy.

Baun consistently accelerates well off the snap and has great burst coming out of his stance. He has impressive lateral agility in the open field, as he changes direction very well and is able to flip his hips fluidly and accelerate coming out of his breaks. This gives him a lot of range as a tackler in space. He’s able to turn the corner very well, as his hip and ankle flexibility allows him to dip underneath offensive tackles while still maintaining sharp pursuit angles to the quarterback. His quick-twitched athleticism gives him value bouncing inside on stunts: his mobility makes him a difficult pass rusher to keep up with.

When Baun rushes the passer, he plays with a high motor and fights hard on every play. He does a good job of churning his lower body and working to get inside hand leverage. His hands have shown some potential, as he plays with good quickness and has a handful of finesse moves in his arsenal as a pass rusher. He’s also pretty quick to diagnose plays and position himself in the best possible way to make a play. His athleticism for his size also gives him plenty of value dropping back in coverage, which should help him see the field more as a rookie on passing downs.

Weaknesses

For all of his athletic talents, Baun is lacking a bit in the size and strength department. As a light and undersized edge rusher, it may be tougher for him to match up head-on with NFL offensive tackles who would be 70 to 80 pounds heavier than he is. That may kick him to an off-ball role as a 4-3 SAM linebacker. He doesn’t pack much of a punch at the point of attack, and he isn’t able to generate much force in his lower body when he goes for a power rush. His pad level could stand to be more consistent, too.

Baun is also a bit of a one-year wonder. Though his 2019 production was no doubt impressive, he wasn’t nearly as productive in 2018 and didn’t do much in 2016. His 2017 campaign was ended in the preseason due to a foot injury. Is he able to sustain that high level of play and carry that momentum into the pros, or was this past season a flash in the pan? Teams will have to figure that out when evaluating him.

Projection: Day 2

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Ravens get big-play prospects in 2-round mock draft after start of legal tampering period

With the NFL’s tampering period starting yesterday, the football world went nuts. Players have agreed to deals that will see them on different teams and a bevy of big trades have been pulled off. Among that group has been the Baltimore Ravens, who …

The Ravens have beefed up their defensive line by pulling off a trade for Calais Campbell and agreeing to a deal with Michael Brockers. Tight end Hayden Hurst is now gone but with his departure comes a bunch of changes to Baltimore’s picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

So what better time to take a look forward at the draft and what might have changed with the first day of the legal tampering period finished. Are any new players on the board for the Ravens this time around and have their needs dramatically changed enough to see them go in a different direction? Only one way to find out and that’s to run a simulation.

As usual, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator with the predictive board. To get the most out of Baltimore’s wild first day, I went with a two-round mock, which will give us three players that should make an immediate impact on the Ravens’ roster. Let’s see who I picked.

1st round (No. 28) EDGE Zack Baun, Wisconsin

After packing on the pounds on the defensive line and hopefully fixing their run-defense woes, adding another outside linebacker just makes too much sense. I’m assuming the Ravens are keeping Matthew Judon after franchise tagging him, but finding someone opposite him would be a wise decision even if they’re able to sign him to a long-term extension this offseason. With the addition of Campbell and Brockers, another potent outside pass rusher would really help free up Judon more and could see Baltimore’s defense do a brilliant job at moving and collapsing the pocket on quarterbacks next season.

There were a bunch of options for me to choose from with A.J. Epenesa, Yetur Gross-Matos, Baun and Terrell Lewis all sitting there. If I could, I would have tried to move down to the last pick in the first round to still get one of these guys but also get an extra pick out of it. But in this case, I went with Baun.

While many people find themselves in love with one of these pass rushers and will surely hate my pick accordingly, I like the versatility Baun brings to the table for the Ravens given what they’ve done already. He can be a stand-up outside linebacker or play on the line with his hand in the dirt if needed. He’s smart and is a solid tackler, which will help in early downs while being quick and agile, which will help as a speed rusher on the outside. Baun “plays like a Raven,” which accounts for far more than some people think when it comes to who Baltimore brings on board.

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Chris Orr Performs well at Wisconsin’s 2020 Pro Day

Wisconsin held its annual pro day on Wednesday as 11 former Badgers competed in front of NFL teams.

Wisconsin held its annual pro day on March 11th as 11 former Badgers participated as they continue to try and improve there NFL draft stock.

In particular, Wednesday was an important day for Chis Orr as he wasn’t invited to the NFL scouting combine in February. Wisconsin’s pro day served as his combine as he competed in the events that he would have if he was in Indianapolis.

With this being Orr’s first chance of demonstrating his on field abilities in front of NFL teams made it important that he turned in a good performance as he continues to work to hear his name called during the NFL draft.

The biggest drill for Orr that he needed to ace was the 40-yard dash as there are questions on how his speed will translate to the next level and if he can hold up. Orr was able to post a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, which was the same time Zack Baun posted in Indianapolis at the scouting combine.

Outside of Orr running a solid 40-yard dash time he also posted a 4.08 second in the 20-yard shuttle and a 6.99 second in the 3-cone drill. He also put up 20 reps on the bench press too.

Outside of Orr needing to have a successful pro day it was another chance for Quintez Cephus to improve upon his 40-yard dash time that he ran in Indianapolis. After running a 4.73 40-yard dash he ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash on Wednesday. Outside of catching passes in front of NFL teams that was the only other drill Cephus took part in.

Jonathan Taylor didn’t compete in any of the drills as he stood by what he did at the scouting combine.

Other Badgers to participate in Wisconsin’s pro day were Connor Allen, Jason Erdmann, Zach Hintze, Tyler Johnson, David Pfaff, and Travis Wiltjer.

Erdmann ran a 5.5-second 40-yard dash and put up 21 reps on the bench press. Johnson ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash time, a 4.15 in the 20-yard shuttle, and 6.93 seconds in the 3-cone drill.

Wisconsin to Host NFL Pro Day March 11th

Eleven former Wisconsin players will partake in the Badgers pro day on March 11th

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst likes to break down a season into four phases. The first phase is winter conditioning, the second phase is spring football, third phase is fall camp, and the fourth phase is the season.

When it comes to the NFL Draft one could break it into four phases too. Phase one would be the college football all-star games, phase two would be the scouting combine, phase three would be the combination of pro days and private workouts, and phase four being the NFL Draft.

For the former Wisconsin players they are currently in phase three as the Badgers will have a total of 11 players competing at the Badgers pro day on Wednesday, March 11th.

The players are punter Connor Allen, outside linebacker Zack Baun, center Tyler Biadasz, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, offensive lineman Jason Erdmann, kicker Zach Hintze, outside linebacker Tyler Johnson, inside linebacker Chris Orr, defensive end David Pfaff, running back Jonathan Taylor, and inside linebacker Travis Wiltjer. Drew Rakers a long snapper from UW-Platteville will also partake in the Badger pro day.

Baun, Biadasz, Cephus, and Taylor were all invited to the NFL scouting combine in February and the four may not compete in all of the drills tomorrow as they may be happy with what they did in Indianapolis.

Cephus will likely run the 40-yard dash again as he posted a 4.73 second time. If he can improve upon his time he’ll likely ease concerns from NFL scouts when it comes to his speed.

The pro day will be particularly important for Orr as he wasn’t invited to the combine and wasn’t invited to play in any of the college all-star games.

Outside of the workouts, he goes on leading up to the draft this will be one of the first times Orr will have a chance to demonstrate what he can do in front of NFL teams. In particular, for Orr, he’ll need to run a good 40-yard dash time.

The NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas starting April 23rd to April 25th.

PFF pegged this draft prospect as a perfect fit for the Patriots

With Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins heading into free agency, this linebacker seems like a great fit.

The New England Patriots like their linebackers to boast versatility. Regardless of what scheme Bill Belichick is running in any given year, he tends to identify linebackers who can contribute as pass-rushers and run-defenders with some work in coverage. Perhaps the Patriots will do that in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Certainly, New England deploys role-players, who generally contribute in a niche. Linebacker Chase Winovich spends most of his time on the field as a pass-rusher on passing downs. John Simon, meanwhile, serves as an early-down linebacker as a run defender. Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy were every-down ‘backers on the edge and in the interior.

Because Van Noy and Collins are pending free agents, the Patriots may look to replace their veterans in the draft. And Pro Football Focus, a digital scouting service, has just the prospect for the Patriots: Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun. Here’s what PFF wrote about the strong fit:

“Baun is somewhat stuck between positions as he transitions to the NFL. He played almost exclusively as an edge defender at Wisconsin, where he produced at a high level as a pass rusher. Last year, his 91.0 pass-rushing grade was a top-10 mark among qualifying FBS pass rushers. He showed, however, that he could also perform out in space in coverage, earning a 91.1 coverage grade over the last two seasons on 195 coverage snaps. At only 238 pounds, he may be better suited as an off-ball linebacker given his combination of size and fluidity.”

He could be an ideal fit in lieu of the Patriots’ two veteran free agents, who seem likely to depart in free agency. Collins played on a one-year prove-it deal in 2019, and that’s — for the most part — what he did. He’s likely to get a solid financial commitment from another team. And Van Noy seems ready for a payday. He has been underpaid for his significant contributions in New England. The veteran must feel like he’s long overdue for a payday.

So perhaps that’s where Baun steps in. He seems like a prospect who might fall in the second round. So would the Patriots reach for him at 23rd overall? Or would they trade back to pick him up along with more draft assets? If the Patriots find they like him, they’re probably make a move to get him.

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