Bears: 4 potential draft picks from Big Ten Championship Game
By Ryan Heckman
4. Linebacker Zack Baun, Wisconsin
Projected Round(s): 3-4
Talk about a guy who took an enormous leap this year — that’s Zach Baun. The senior linebacker and edge rusher tallied a monstrous 18.5 tackles for loss in 12 games this year, while also tallying 11.5 sacks. That’s quite a leap, coming off his junior season where he finished with 7.5 tackles for loss and just 2.5 sacks.
Doing a little bit of everything, Baun also finished this year with two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Baun has a lot to like when looking at his ability to translate to the NFL level. He is quick off the edge and improved a lot as a pass rusher this year. The one thing that might keep him from playing a true edge position, though, is his size. Baun stands just 6-foot-3 and weighs around 235 pounds.
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He might be better suited as an inside linebacker, as he has shown promise in coverage as well. The fact that he can both rush the passer and drop into coverage gives him a leg up in terms of an NFL team selecting him higher in the draft. He may lack size, but I’m sure he can play in multiple areas depending on scheme.