The specific skillset is apart of Baun’s overall player profile. Baun’s scouting identified him as a college rushing OLB who was better suited to transition to pro off-ball LB than NFL level rusher based on his size and ability. His career has continued to develop into a thriving starting off ball LB, the position he was drafted for, not in the specific skillset of a rusher.
The position that he was drafted to convert to is where he’s thriving in the NFL. Off ball is his better long term skillset. He would’ve been buried or muddled further behind Cam, Trey, Davenport, and Carl if they were intending to make Baun a full time rusher. They’re all complete players as NFL Edges. He had an easier path to playing time and long term starting role as a LB. The goal was to develop Baun into a starting LB amongst Davis, and later Werner, as other LBs, including Werner, emerged or established themselves before he did.
He isn’t the first player who was drafted to play a different position as a pro based on their scouting. Fuaga played RT and Ruiz played C for their entire college careers but were moved to OL positions that were brand new to them. Some players immediately succeed at a new position while others take a few years to develop. Different players’ development pace differently.
Like mentioned before, Baun decided to be a team’s top 2 LB somewhere else. It’s not a bad thing that Baun’s succeeding elsewhere while the Saints had & have their starting LBs.
Besides, Baun was Payton’s pick at the time, not DA’s. The DC has input on the fit. But the selection is still the HC’s decision first. The HC has the initial vision first. That would be like saying some recent offensive or defensive picks not panning out is the fault of Woods or Carmichael.