4 Saints who will prove fans wrong during the 2022 season
By Kristen Wong
Saints player No. 3: Zack Baun
Zack Baun was also drafted in third round in 2020, and his third season in the league could make or break his Saints’ career.
The young linebacker developed into an elite pass-rusher back at Wisconsin but hasn’t yet been able to prove his worth in the NFL. The Saints’ projected starters at the position will be Demario Davis and Pete Werner, and Baun will have to battle D’Marco Jackson and Kaden Elliss for the backup role.
NOLA’s recent signing of Kiko Alonso blew up in their faces, and unless the team decides to pull the trigger on another veteran linebacker, Baun will have his best opportunity to break out in 2022.
Baun has put together a decent camp so far and will look to shine as one of the more talented pass-rushing linebackers.
Zack Baun tips the pass but Kevin White still makes the grab 👌 pic.twitter.com/Jg2FVi3O1V
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 30, 2022
Many fans are down on Baun and don’t think NOLA should have traded up to nab him in 2020, but Baun can serve as a surprising threat on the edge and shouldn’t be overlooked this season.
NOLA’s linebacker corps in 2022 feels tamer than that of 2021, which means young and relatively inexperienced players like Baun could earn more starting snaps. The timing couldn’t be better — this is Baun’s narrow window to make the much-needed jump in his career.