Expectations and projections for Baron Browning with the Broncos in 2021

When it comes to inside linebackers, third time’s a charm. At least that’s what the Denver Broncos hope.

For the first time in three drafts with Vic Fangio as Denver’s head coach, the Broncos finally picked a linebacker before Day 3 of the draft. Fittingly, the Broncos’ biggest commitment at linebacker in the Fangio era came in the third round when the team drafted Baron Browning in April.

Since Fangio, one of the best linebacker coaches in NFL history, clearly believes in the talented linebacker out of Ohio State, should the expectations be sky-high for the rookie? Not yet. Here’s why.

Projections for 2021: 17-game contributor; Special teams stud; 20 tackles; 2 sacks

First and foremost, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound versatile linebacker needs to find a position. That’s right, the Broncos used a premium pick on a player who they aren’t sure where he’ll play. That’s just how talented the Broncos believe Browning is.

“I think that’s Vic job,” George Paton said, when asked what position Browning will play. “The good thing about him is that we think he can play inside or outside like Ohio State did. He’s that talented. I think Vic has a vision. The other coaches have a vision. We know he is really talented, and we know the minute he walks in the door, he is going to be a hardcore special teamer. Coach [Tom] McMahon couldn’t be more excited.”

Vic’s vision for Browning will have him begin his NFL career at inside linebacker. But that doesn’t mean he won’t bounce outside occasionally, especially if inside doesn’t work.

“I think we’ll try him inside first, but not for sure. If it’s not working out, we’ll move him outside and maybe even cross-train him,” Fangio said. “I’d like to give him one spot when he gets here in the base package and work him around in the sub-packages to get a better feel for him.”

What’s curious, and what highlights just how versatile Browning can be, is the 22-year old has a slightly different view than Fangio.

“I think I’m more comfortable outside, but at the end of the day, I’ll play wherever they need me to play. I’ll play kicker,” Browning joked right after he was drafted. “It doesn’t matter [where I play]—whatever the team needs me to do.”

During Browning’s first three years at Ohio State, the five-star recruit played primarily on the inside. However, Browning moved outside his senior season.

“Good athlete, runs really well. He’s got versatility. Sometimes his versatility has hurt him a little bit in his development,” Fangio said about Browning. “We’ll figure out where we’re going to put him first and see how he does there then make a final decision at some point. We like his speed, like his athleticism. We think he will be a major contributor on special teams and compete for one of the linebacker spots.”

At 240 pounds, Brownings’ 4.56 40-yard-dash speed makes him a threat as a pass rusher coming off the edge and as a potential silencer in pass coverage.

“He is the type of athlete that in obvious passing situations, we have some freedom and flexibility where we put him then more of non-obvious downs such as first and second down,” Fangio said, adding Browning can “definitely” rush the passer.

Despite playing three years at Ohio State mainly on the inside, the transition to Fangio’s defense and the NFL will take Browning quite some time, regardless of what position he ends up playing.

What Denver shouldn’t do is try and rush Browning’s development. Instead, they should give him time to settle into one position.

In 2017, out of depth concerns, the Broncos moved second-round pick Demarcus Walker from defensive end to outside linebacker. Before giving him time to settle in, the team put him back at defensive end. It took Walker years to settle back into his original position after being bounced around.

A more fitting situation to Browning happened in Fangio’s first year on the job in 2019 with fifth-round pick Justin Hollins. At Oregon, the 6-foot-5 edge rusher racked up 14 sacks. The Broncos, however, tried to make him a hybrid inside-outside linebacker during his rookie season. Denver cut him before his second season even began.

A key to making sure Browning doesn’t follow in a similar path as the other two players mentioned above is letting the rookie settle into one position before trying to make him a versatile player. As Fangio acknowledged, in college, Browning’s versatility “hurt him a little bit in his development.” During his rookie season, the focus should be letting Browning be comfortable at either inside or outside linebacker before moving him around.

Paton acknowledged that the Broncos had “a lot” of interest from teams around the league trying to trade for the 105th-overall pick, which turned out to be Browning. Denver, however, kept the pick because “Baron Browning was too special to move back,” Paton stated.

Browning has the talent to succeed in the NFL. Now it will be on Fangio and the Broncos to mold him into his potential as a rookie without rushing the process.

As a rookie, don’t count on Browning to be a staple in Fangio’s defense. His work on defense will come behind the scenes and in practice as he settles into a position. Midway through his rookie season, Browning could end up seeing more action, but that shouldn’t be counted on.

Additionally, a lower-leg injury sidelined Browning during OTAs and minicamp, setting back his development. Fangio does expect him to be “full go” for training camp, but he’ll be behind after sitting on the sidelines during the offseason program.

“That’s been probably the biggest negative of this offseason work—him not getting the work that he would have gotten,” Fangio said during mandatory minicamp in June. “We’re still very high on him and very optimistic. Hopefully he’ll be able to carve out a role on the team, both defensively and in the kicking game. I’m anxious to get him back working in training camp. I still like him all the same and he has versatility. He could play some outside for us and he could play some inside.”

Fortunately, Denver doesn’t need a major contribution from him in 2021. At inside linebacker, the Broncos will be fine with Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell starting with Justin Strnad as a coverage specialist. At outside linebacker, Denver will rely on Von Miller and Bradley Chubb and will call on Malik Reed as the backup.

However, there will be no settling in when it comes to Browning’s role on special teams. Expect the rookie to be a staple in every phase of Denver’s special teams.

Despite being the highest drafted linebacker in the Vic Fangio era, there should be minimal expectations for Baron Browning’s rookie season. Heck, the talented linebacker needs to find a position first.