The Philadelphia Eagles have re-signed linebacker Zach Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal, bringing stability back to the linebacking corps of the Eagles. Let us explore how this move will impact IDP fantasy football in 2025.
$17 million per season makes Baun the 4th highest paid linebacker on average in the NFL, per Spotrac. Last season, his first with the Eagles, Baun tallied 151 total tackles (98 solo/ 58 assisted), 11 tackles for a loss (TFLs), five quarterback hits, and one interception during his first season as the starter at the inside linebacker (ILB) position. From a fantasy standpoint, he finished as the LB2, averaging 16.1 fantasy points per game (PPG) using FantasyPros IDP scoring. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him as the best linebacker in the NFL last season. His 15.7% tackle rate was well above the NFL average of 12.7%, which ranked 6th best in the NFL among inside linebackers that played a minimum of ten games. Combined with his sub-10% missed tackle rate, he was one of the most efficient high-volume tacklers in 2024.
With the unlikelihood that fellow inside linebacker Nakobe Dean will be able to resume ILB duties in 2025 due to the nature of his season-ending injury (Patella Tendon Rupture) last season, Zach Baun will be the “set it and forget it” linebacker on your IDP rosters this season since no other linebacker on the Eagles roster is as high caliber of a player as Baun has shown to be, both in real and fantasy football. Also, the fact that the Eagles made him a priority signing in NFL Free Agency speaks to his longevity at the position on the team, which should make his dynasty managers ecstatic in terms of the high value he would bring to them at the position.
While statistical regression is always a concern, his ability to make plays all over the field should NOT be a concern. Whether playing against the run or in coverage, Zach Baun does it all and should be someone you target as your LB1 this upcoming season in redraft, given the positional stability he brings to the Eagles. In startups for dynasty, I would wait for more years of consistency playing alongside another alpha linebacker before hitching my wagon to him for the long haul as my LB1. That said, for those dynasty managers looking to go all in for 2025, he would be a player I go after hard this season!
Stay tuned for more BREAKING FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS at Fantasy In Frames. Make sure to follow me on X at @JorgeBEdwards and on BlueSky at JorgeBEdwards.bsky.social. See you next time!
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