2020 NFL Mock Draft: Green Bay Packers pick Zack Baun

Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin

The Green Bay Packers have clear needs at OT, Receiver, Cornerback, DL, ILB, Safety, TE, and RB going into the 2020 NFL Draft. Baun is a lightning-fast linebacker who fought through a shoulder injury to run at the combine for scouts (posting a 4.54 40). Blake Martinez is no longer in Green Bay, and with Christian Kirksey, Oren Burks, Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton create one of the worst linebacker groups in football so here’s his replacement.

Baun started as a reserve linebacker his redshirt freshman season (15 tackles, 3.5 for loss in 12 games). Baun’s progress was set back by a foot injury suffered in 2017 preseason camp but he made up for lost time by starting all 13 games in 2018 (63 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception). Baun became a superstar in college football as a senior, finishing among the nation’s leaders with 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks among his 76 total tackles to earn second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors. He also intercepted a pass, broke up two others, and caused two fumbles.

Player Analysis via NFL.com

Weaknesses

Lacks desired size of a full-time, NFL edge rusher

Long-arm tackles pester him at point of attack

Needs to harness energy as open-field tackler

Occasionally telegraphs rush plan with pre-snap setup of feet

Antsy demeanor causes delays coming off the ball at times

Rush momentum can carry him beyond the arc

Mechanical in his rush counter

Some panic when face-guarding down the field

Strengths

Twitchy and explosive

Lateral slide quickness to close running lanes from backsideRush zombie with good secondary rush motor

Quick hands to punch and play around blocksSpeed and athleticism to cover RBs and match up with TEs in space

Smooth drops and fluid hips amplify zone cover radiusGood tackle range with speed to go get them

Quick trigger to create disruption in backfieldGood rip-and-run to flatten and attack the pocket

NFL Player comp: Kyle Van Noy

2020 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Bengals (grantspectations): QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington (ablesser88): EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions (CMG97): CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants (selgae aihpledalihp): LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins (dceagles): WR CeeDee Lamb
6) Chargers (dapeltz13): QB Tua Tagovailoa
7) Panthers (wardbell92): DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals (drc242): OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars (Palaniappan K M): OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns (WentzAndFolesFan): WR Jerry Jeudy
11) Jets (Dr_Horrible): OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders (Phillysolo): WR Henry Ruggs III
13) 49ers (eagles0132): OT Andrew Thomas
14) Buccaneers (BuckeyedEagles): DT Javon Kinlaw
15) Broncos (J. Wil): S Xavier McKinney
16) Falcons (Kephas): EDGE A.J. Epenesa
17) Cowboys (PhillyBirdGang): S Grant Delpit
18) Dolphins (dshelton5): QB Justin Herbert
19) Raiders (fredhugo): CB Kristian Fulton
20) Jaguars (ItownBallers22): EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
21) Eagles (20Safety_Hazards): CB C.J. Henderson
22) Vikings (SadJediShark): CB Jeff Gladney
23) Patriots (Phoenix X Minimus): LB Kenneth Murray
24) Saints (big DUB): LB Patrick Queen
25) Vikings (MrW254): EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
26) Dolphins (SemperFilly): RB D’Andre Swift
27) Seahawks (mattywils): OT Josh Jones
28) Ravens (Dirtybirdy47): WR Justin Jefferson
29) Titans (mr_england): OT Austin Jackson
30) Packers (Nishant R SambhiReddy):
31) 49ers (Fly Like An Eagle):
32) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Packers should pick in the 2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington: EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions: CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
6) Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
7) Panthers: DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals: OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars: OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns: OT Andrew Thomas
11) Jets: OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders: WR CeeDee Lamb
13) 49ers: WR Jerry Jeudy
14) Buccaneers: DT Javon Kinlaw
15) Broncos: WR Henry Ruggs III
16) Falcons: EDGE A.J. Epenesa
17) Cowboys: CB C.J. Henderson
18) Dolphins: OT Josh Jones
19) Raiders: CB Kristian Fulton
20) Jaguars: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
21) Eagles: WR Justin Jefferson
22) Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney
23) Patriots: QB Jordan Love
24) Saints: LB Patrick Queen
25) Vikings: WR Denzel Mims
26) Dolphins: S Xavier McKinney
27) Seahawks: EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
28) Ravens: LB Kenneth Murray
29) Titans: OT Austin Jackson
30) Packers: