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2020 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Wisconsin OLB Zack Baun

From now until the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.

#56 Zack Baun/ EDGE-LB/Wisconsin – 6’2 240

The Good

  • Exceptionally smooth athlete with great hip mobility and change of direction
  • Lateral agility and burst in multiple directions
  • Quick twitch athlete with a good first step
  • Tough player who will fight and sacrifice in the running game
  • Plus coverage athlete despite playing OLB in college
  • Instinctive, smart player who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes
  • Slippery defender who is hard to block, excellent use of hands
  • Has a bevvy of pass rushing moves
  • Burst and speed to the edge and bend to the QB
  • Filled out frame without excess body fat

The Bad

  • Lack of overall strength as both a tackler and as a pass rusher
  • Tough player, but does not hold up at the point of attack as a run defender
  • Indeterminate position at the next level, will have to transition to off-ball linebacker
  • Missed tackles are a question mark, just average arm length

Bio

  • First-team all-State high school quarterback who passed for 3,061 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for over 2,000 yards
  • Two year starter with 26 games of starting experience and 39 total collegiate games
  • 99 solo and 154 career tackles—30.