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Seahawks draft profile: Zack Baun will bring the pain

By Lee Vowell

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) /
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The Seahawks might be looking for a linebacker since Mychal Kendricks could be leaving free agency. Zack Baun could fill two different needs though.

The University of Wisconsin has a way of producing good pass rushers in the NFL recently. The Watt brothers, T.J. and J.J. both benefitted from whatever Wisconsin has going on in terms of grooming pass rushers for the next level. Zack Baun could be another good one at the next level and the Seahawks could benefit from this.

Baun might play some this season behind Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. He also might backup Cody Barton too. But Wright will be a free agent after the 2020 season and the Seahawks could be looking for his successor. If that is so, Baun could be the guy.

Strengths

The 6’3″ and 235 pound Baun has versatility and Pete Carroll loves that. Carroll wants to move his linebackers around and have them create havoc all over the field. While Baun can be an edge rusher, he also has the quickness to cover a receiver. Ideally, Seattle would use Baun inside and have him create as he has a high football IQ and is extremely coachable. In other words, he is a perfect Pete Carroll linebacker.

Baun won’t be the biggest linebacker in the NFL but he may have the best motor. He competes on every play and appears to be insulted should another player outwork him. That is a good thing. The problem will be if Baun flashes great numbers at this week’s NFL combine, he will move up a lot of teams’ draft boards and won’t be around for the Seahawks to take.

Weakness (sort of)

My fear is that current Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. won’t figure out how to use Baun because he couldn’t figure out how to use Shaquem Griffin. This is odd for Norton, Jr. as he was a linebacker for his entire playing career. While Seattle’s linebacker got a lot of tackles in 2019, they didn’t do much to help the pass rush.

Next. Our latest and pre-combine Seahawks mock draft!. dark

In other words, Norton. Jr. couldn’t figure out a way for his linebackers to get overly involved in pressuring quarterbacks. This may be what Baun does best, so if Norton, Jr. doesn’t use his skill set well enough, Baun will mostly be wasted.

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