The New Orleans Saints have selected Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun in the third round with the 74th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
#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
The trade with the Cleveland Browns cost the team this years 88th pick and a 2021 third rounder.
2021 3rd.
— Canal St. Chronicles (@SaintsCSC) April 25, 2020
Knowing they were getting a 2021 compensatory 3rd for the Bridgewater signing, you can view this close to a "free" move up. https://t.co/Xeywh36OJw
Baun was considered a late first round/early second round pick by many experts and it is surprising to see how far down the board he fell. He burst on to the scene in 2019 after dealing with injuries earlier in his career. In his final season at Wisconsin Baun registered 76 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 19.5 tackles for a loss.
A mix of an edge player and linebacker, Baun should be a versatile piece on the Saints defense, though he may have to get adjusted to playing as an off-ball linebacker.