We’ve covered the biggest names in the New Orleans Saints upcoming free agency class in Michael Thomas, Jameis Winston and Andrus Peat. Now, it’s time to start taking a look at the depth pieces that the Saints will either be looking to bring back or replace for a better value.
The Saints drafted Zack Baun in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. Now it’s time to figure out if the team should invest in a second contract for the linebacker. He finally started to carve out a role in the defense for himself towards the end of his fourth season, but was it enough to warrant bringing him back?
Let’s take a deeper look into the former Wisconsin Badger’s potential future in New Orleans:
2023 stats
Baun had a clear career-best season in 2023 and it isn’t really close. He didn’t set a career high in tackles, but did in every other statistical category. He had his first two career sacks as well as he first interception and passes broken up. He also had his first career fumble on the return of his interception, just for another first he had last season.
He also stuck around on special teams where he went his first season in two years without a penalty.
Snap counts
Baun’s career-high in stats came with a new personal-best in snaps played both on defense and on special teams. He played 27% of the team’s snaps on defense (301) and 83% of the special teams snaps (385). It’s not exactly the role you want to see out of a former third round selection in his fourth season, but it was at least a more memorable season than he has had in the past.
The big jump he had was his role in pass rushing. It was what he did best in college and his first NFL season with more than 20 snaps played on pass rushing snaps. In fact, he jumped all the way to 137 snaps. This jump was likely to fill some of the gap left when Kaden Elliss departed the team last offseason.
2023 season review
Though it was Baun’s best season, was it all that special? It took a while for the team to realize his value as a pass rush specialist, but the team still didn’t see that much of a impact.
After his first career sack in Week 13, the Saints really upped his usage. From Week 14 to 18, Baun added another sack, two quarterback hits and five total tackles.
It was nice to see some growth, but it might have been too little, too late as we evaluate what comes next.
Future value to Saints
Any future value Baun brings in to the Saints would likely be as a pass rush specialist and special teamer. He was more productive than ever in the latter half of the season, but it wasn’t a major impact.
If he wasn’t in the last year of his deal, it would be a much more exciting development than it was considering he’s now facing free agency.
Stay or go?
It’s probably best for all parties involved that Baun finds a new team in 2024 and the Saints replace his role in the draft or with a cheaper option in New Orleans.
Baun did show some prowess as a pass rush specialist, but not enough to really emerge into a major piece of the Saints defense. Maybe he can thrive in a different system that better fits his role.
Baun can probably get a pay raise elsewhere, which would be a big motivating factor for him to move on as well.
