Badger linebacker Zack Baun recently told all 32 NFL teams that he has tested positive for a diluted sample at the combine per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter via Twitter. The Wisconsin native blamed the test on drinking too much water before his combine weigh-in:
Wisconsin’s Zach Baun, the third-rated linebacker on Mel Kiper Jr.’s board, notified all 32 teams that he testified positive for a diluted sample at the combine that he blamed on drinking too much water for weight-related weigh-in purposes, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2020
The impact of the positive test will be relatively unknown until draft day, although a recent rule change in the NFL CBA may help the former Badger star according to Schefter.
Here’s an interesting twist regarding Zach Baun testing positive for a diluted sample at combine: Under the NFL’s new CBA, it will not count as a strike against him whereas it would have under the NFL’s old CBA. Therefore, teams don’t believe it will impact his draft status much. https://t.co/Xw8Q7dTqqb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2020
Baun is currently projected to be as high as a late-first round pick, with a floor of being taken in the late-second round. Time will tell if the positive test has a major impact on his draft position, but the new CBA will certainly help lessen the effects of this.