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Saints draft picks: Zack Baun goes at 74th overall after trade

The Saints take a linebacker after all, selecting linebacker Zack Baun after trading with the Browns.

John Hendrix

The New Orleans Saints have made their second selection of the 2020 NFL draft, and it wasn't by trading up into the second round of the draft. Instead, they traded up with the Cleveland Browns to get the 74th pick. They used that pick to take linebacker Zack Baun out of Wisconsin.

Trade Details: Browns get 88th overall and 2021 3rd Round pick from Saints for 74th overall the Browns 7th Rounder (244th Overall).

NFL Draft Profile

Ascending prospect whose explosive production on the field has begun to mirror his explosive athletic traits. 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.

The Draft Network Profile

Zack brings hustle and effort to the LB position. He's a sufficient athlete overall and has redeeming value in his effort and football character. In the run game he's sufficient. He has some pop in his hands but can afford to learn to disengage more consistently. Does a good job pursuing the football as a chase player on the backside. In the passing game he is also sufficient. He's not a dynamic athlete on the edge, but has good get off. He has also shown some wiggle and bend on the edge. He has shown that he can play on his feet, demonstrating the ability to rush or drop from an up or down position. He has generated some production and been effective on all 3 downs. This players skill set suggests that he will be a 4 phase, core special teams player if necessary.

Saints Top Remaining Needs

  • Wide Receiver
  • Offensive Tackle 
  • Secondary 
  • Running Back

2020 NFL Draft Schedule

  • Friday, April 24 – 6:00 p.m. CT (Round 2-3)
  • Saturday, April 25 – 11:00 a.m. CT (Rounds 4-7) 

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Saints Draft Summary

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John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net