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Chiefs projected to take Zack Baun, Bryce Hall in latest mock drafts

By Matt Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Shannon Brooks #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Shannon Brooks #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 27: Zack Baun #LB03 of the Wisconsin Badgers speaks to the media on day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 27: Zack Baun #LB03 of the Wisconsin Badgers speaks to the media on day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Zack Baun, LB

They say:

"During last season, defensive tackle Chris Jones revealed that the Chiefs’ backup plan in 2017, had they not executed the historic trade to move up 17 spots to select superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was to take the best linebacker available. This year’s draft could provide such an opportunity with the 32nd pick. The Chiefs are thin at the position entering this offseason and Baun has the skills to play in space."

We say:

Baun is a very talented defender who has earned comps to T.J. Watt and Clay Matthews, so the ceiling here is considerable. For a defensive coordinator like Spagnuolo, Baun is the sort of prospect that doesn’t seem to fit a traditional 4-3 defense, and some Chiefs fans looking through foundational filters will wonder where to put him (especially since he slots in “best” as a 3-4 OLB).

Spags loves versatile players who allow the defense to mix things up and get after the quarterback in intriguing ways. A good coach takes the talent that he is given and works his defense around it, and Baun is the sort of talent that you create room for. However there’s no one on the Chiefs right now used in this way.

Think of this: Baun is almost 20 pounds lighter than Reggie Ragland. Can Baun thrive as an outside linebacker in a 4-3? Possibly. There’s just positional needs to sift out here is the primary point. As for the results, it’s impossible to argue with 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.

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