Wisconsin edge rusher/linebacker Zach Baun is drawing interest from many NFL teams as a potential late first-round, early second-round draft target.
Baun worked out at Wisconsin’s pro day on Wednesday and New York Giants outside linebackers coach Bret Bielema, a former head coach there, was on hand to see Baun and other prospects up close such as running back Jonathan Taylor, center Tyler Biadasz and wide receiver Quintez Cephus.
Baun (6’2″, 238) ran a 4.65 40 at the NFL Combine several weeks ago and could be there when the Giants select at No. 36 early in the second round. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein likens Baun to former Green Bay Packers All-Pro Clay Matthews.
“Ascending prospect whose explosive production on the field has begun to mirror his explosive athletic traits,” writes Zierlein. “Baun’s twitchy get-off and deep bend at the edge is nightmare fuel for Big Ten tackles and he’s still at the early stages of pass rush development. He is aggressive to flow downhill in run support, has sideline-to-sideline range and is fluid dropping into coverage. He’s strong but a little light as an edge-setter so teams will need to figure out how best to align him. Baun is a scheme-diverse linebacker with high-impact potential whose best days are ahead of him.”
Sounds like Braun is not going to make it past the first round, so he would be a steal at No. 36. The Giants are seeking pass rushing help in any and all forms. They will likely sign at least one in free agency but as Ernie Accorsi used to say, you can never have enough.
