Denver Broncos: Baron Browning gets his rookie contract signed
The Denver Broncos agreed to contract terms with Baron Browning their third-round pick at linebacker from Ohio State.
The agreement was first reported by Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.
Per source, Broncos have reached a 4-year agreement with third-round LB Baron Browning. He gets the same $840,616 signing bonus that third-round OL Quinn Meinerz received. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 22, 2021
The Broncos did not surprise anyone by drafting a player from Ohio State, but what is surprising is who the first Ohio State player was actually around at the time they picked. The expectation leading up to the draft was Denver’s plan to potentially draft a quarterback. Plans certainly changed as Patrick Surtain II was the first-round selection thus making some maybe wonder if they would draft a player from Ohio State after passing on Buckeyes QB Justin Fields.
The Broncos spent a heavy amount of time at the Pro Days for the Buckeyes. It was mostly surrounding the quarterback Fields, but there were others in participation as well. Linebacker Baron Browning is one such name that fits the bill.
There was a crazy amount of stress surrounding what happened on day two of the NFL Draft this year. Yet, Denver Broncos GM George Paton played it perfectly showing the true side of being aggressive and patient in one day. Paton traded up to get running back Javonte Williams and then traded back to acquire later picks in the third round.
The Broncos’ first pick of the third round was Quinn Meinerz, the center or guard from Wisconsin-Whitewater. With the last pick of the day, the team drafted Browning at pick 105.
It was a huge amount of relief to see Paton’s draft night patience pay off. Speaking from personal experience, Browning was one of the few linebackers up top that would have been a top target surrounding day two. However, I did not see Browning to the very last pick of the third round. With Browning now in the fold, it will be exciting to see his future plans at linebacker and how he factors into the depth plans.
Browning is a exceptional athlete who brings size, speed and height to a position that needs explosion from sideline to sideline. One of the stark differences Browning gives is his position versatility if Denver needs it.
Like Penn State’s Micah Parsons, Browning can play edge rusher in a pinch if Denver needs him to. He could also find time as an outside linebacker as well. The plan currently is to see Browning at inside linebacker. If this remains true all throughout training camp, preseason and other practices, then it would not shock me to see Browning take over the starting job either before or middle part of the season.
In my opinion, Denver drafted a potential superstar and first-round type of talent in Browning. Give defensive coordinator a potential chess piece player like this to Vic Fangio and Browning has makings to be a focal point for this defense.
Welcome to Broncos Country Baron Browning. Denver Broncos and the fan base welcome you with open arms.