Since being picked by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Ohio State, outside linebacker Baron Browning has missed 13 games due to injuries, and he has never played a full 17-game season.
The talent is there for Browning to emerge as a top pass rusher, but he needs to stay on the field, and he knows it.
“For me, [my goal is] just to play 17 games this year,” Browning said in July. “That’s my main focus. Just to be available for my teammates and just do whatever I can do to help us win games.
“And just as an edge, to just be disruptive. I think the outside linebackers play a very pivotal role in this defense. We’re just trying to be the leaders of the defense and make plays. Every day we break it down on playmakers, so that’s our mindset and we’re believing in it.”
Browning totaled 4.5 sacks in 10 appearances last fall.
“It’s an important position in this defense,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the team’s outside linebacker spot. “It’s the defensive ends in the 4-3. So you’re looking for guys that are physical enough to set an edge in the run game and yet give you pash rush and convert when it’s a passing situation. Obviously, it’s a real important position for what we do defensively.”
Two years ago, Browning totaled five sacks 14 games. He has 21 quarterback hits over the last two years and 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. If he can stay healthy this fall, perhaps Browning can approach the first double-digit sack total of his career ahead of free agency in 2025.
