Zack Baun’s rise has become one of the more striking linebacker stories in the league, and ESPN’s latest rankings only sharpened that picture. The Eagles defender landed at No. 4 on Jeremy Fowler’s top-10 list ahead of the new NFL season, a step down from his No. 3 finish in the same exercise last offseason, but still firmly among the league’s best.
What stands out most is how the voting broke in Baun’s favor. He and Fred Warner were the only two linebackers to show up on every ballot, a distinction that says plenty about how widely respected Baun has become around the league. ESPN’s rankings were built from input from executives, scouts, and coaches, giving the list a broad cross-section of opinion.
“Baun is one of the league's great success stories. Once a part-time player, he parlayed an All-Pro season in Philadelphia into a three-year, $51 million deal during the 2025 offseason,” Fowler wrote.
“His most recent season showed he was no fluke, producing a second consecutive Pro Bowl performance. Baun was one of two linebackers to appear on every top-10 ballot.”
Baun didn’t quite match the heights he reached in 2024, but he was still a steady presence in the middle of Philadelphia’s defense. He finished the regular season with 123 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He also made his mark in coverage, adding seven passes defensed and four interceptions.
“He's got lateral quickness and is an incredibly smart player,” an NFL personnel evaluator said, per Fowler. “He's perfect for Vic's [Fangio] scheme, can play close to the line and get pressure or can play off the ball.”
The Eagles will lean on the 29-year-old again this fall, especially with a new offensive coordinator in place and a season that should look different on that side of the ball. For now, though, Baun’s place in the league is clear: he’s not just part of the conversation, he’s near the top of it.
Philadelphia’s training camp begins later this month on July 28th.
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