Anthony Treash of ProFootballFocus released his “Top 10 Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2020 NFL season” last week and former Badger linebacker Zack Baun was not among the 10 names listed.
Who is your pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year?https://t.co/MJUUZDM8ry
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 12, 2020
The rankings, in order, include Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, Patrick Queen, Jeff Okudah, Javon Kinlaw, Grant Delpit, Xavier McKinney, Antoine Winfield Jr., Jaylon Johnson and Kenneth Murray.
None of the 10 candidates on the list were selected below Baun’s draft position of No. 74, though he was projected before the draft to be selected in late-first, early-second round range that McKinney, Winfield, Johnson, Queen and Delpit went in.
Nobody would deny that Young is the clear favorite to win the honor, as he was selected No. 2 overall for a reason and is a generational talent at pass rusher, but don’t be surprised if Baun climbs his way up the list as he carves out a role for himself in New Orleans.