Saints Trade up With Browns to Steal Hybrid Wisconsin Pass-Rusher in 3rd Round
By Michael Luciano
The New Orleans Saints beefed up their offensive line when they used the No. 24 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Michigan center Cesar Ruiz. Sean Payton finally decided to get Dennis Allen some help on defense.
The Saints traded pick No. 88 and a future third-rounder to move up and pick Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun.
#Saints trade a future 3rd round pick in 2021 in addition to pick 88 to move up with the #Browns
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 25, 2020
With pick 74 in the 2020 NFL Draft, the #Saints selecting LB/DE Zack Baun pic.twitter.com/IC6Kc8A0lX
Baun, who recorded 11.5 sacks at Wisconsin as a pass rusher, is a hybrid that can play as an off-ball linebacker given his explosion, football IQ, and functional play strength.
Baun was viewed by many as a first-round pick, but he fell a little bit due to some medical concerns and the fact that he had a diluted sample at the Combine. On the field, however, he is a legit stud.
Zack Baun is about to bring some juice to that New Orleans defense pic.twitter.com/hTg4fFqFTf
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) April 25, 2020
There are very few players available in the third round that can start on Day 1, but Baun is one of those few. Mickey Loomis has stolen two studs in back-to-back years between Baun and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.