Photo: USA Today Sports

One of life’s biggest advantages is being ahead of the curve. It’s why we have inventions such as the iPhone and Netflix. Neither of these were new concepts, but the people behind them saw the world differently. They saw a world that worked the way it was and made their product or service enhance the consumer's experience within that world. This same advantage needs to be taken in IDP Fantasy Football. You must be ahead of the game.

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There may be no player that can put you ahead of your game like Philadelphia linebacker Zack Baun. It’s like seeing Nirvana play in a garage, and you could say, “I knew them before they were cool.” Baun is a candidate to be that type of player in IDP fantasy football in 2024.

Who is Zack Baun?

If you're like me, you may need a little refresher course on who exactly we are talking about, and rightfully so. Baun is a 6th-year player drafted in the third round by the Saints in 2020. He didn’t exactly make a name for himself in New Orleans, and on March 13th of this year, he signed a one-year deal to play with the Eagles. His career high in tackles is 30, he played very limited snaps for his former team, and he wasn’t locked up for a large amount of money or many years. So, what is there to like about a no-name player on a team loaded with talent? If you’re not diving into preseason notes for the Eagles, you're missing what could be the upset of a lifetime in the battle for inside linebacker alongside Devin White. Early reports appear to favor Zack Baun winning this job over the highly sought-after Nakobe Dean.

Upside: Tackle Floor

Maybe you’re underwhelmed that this is a battle for the second of two linebackers on the Eagles defense. IDP fantasy football can be won if you look for defenses that can support two linebackers. When you find them, remember that the second guy is always cheaper! I believe the Eagles have this ability, and they have a great yin and yang player skillset within this unit in Devin White and Baun.  Baun has everything you want in an inside linebacker. When you can diversify yourself in this game, you will get snaps, and as we are seeing, he’s earning the trust and respect of his coaches, which will, in turn, get him snaps. Snaps mean more opportunities for tackles, and that’s the name of the game here. He has a unique skill set that we just haven’t seen yet on the field. In the 2020 NFL combine, Baun finished as the fifth overall linebacker in production score and was top 10 athletically. He has athleticism that he will use to get to every spot on the field, regardless of play. The best part of his game may be his ability to play the pass, and as the game gets more and more into the passing attacks from offenses, players like Baun will be relied upon to pick up the middle of the field slack. This will ensure that he stays in games.