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2020 NFL Mock Draft: Sifting through the pre-draft noise

By Jacob Camenker

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

28. player. 26. . Edge Rusher. Baltimore Ravens. Zack Baun

I think a couple of Wisconsin products will interest the Ravens here. Jonathan Taylor is one. The talented running back could be the heir apparent to Mark Ingram in the Ravens backfield, and that would give the squad yet another great option in their ground-dominant offense.

But considering that the Ravens already have Ingram, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill on the team, I think they’ll look elsewhere. And Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun could be a nice, versatile option for their defense.

Baun emerged as a big-time playmaker during his final season in Wisconsin. He racked up 74 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and an interception for the Badgers defense. Baun figures to be a hybrid player at the next level — he can be a rush linebacker in a 3-4 and can probably play some stand-up linebacker as well — and that should work perfectly in Baltimore’s defense.

John Harbaugh and Wink Martindale would find the perfect way to use Baun. He could start in the middle of the defense, where the Ravens are lacking a bit after departures the last couple of offseasons, or he could play across from Matt Judon as a primary pass rusher. The latter role is probably the best for him, but moving him around the linebacker corps could help to create mismatches for the Ravens to exploit.

Either way, Baun fills a big need. He’ll help as a pass rusher and could find a home playing alongside Calais Campbell in the team’s 3-4 alignment. He makes sense at this juncture unless the team wants to look at offensive players as they continue to build around Lamar Jackson.

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