Surprise players who have filled longstanding needs for Denver Broncos

Baron Browning, ILB

Baron Browning was a third-round pick out of Ohio State by the Broncos in the 2021 NFL Draft. Browning has shown his athleticism during the games he has played so far as a rookie, making 31 tackles in 10 games.

Browning suffered a lower leg injury during camp that slowed down his experience. He also suffered a back injury against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Browning has seen extensive playing time as a rookie due not only to his own personal athleticism but the season-ending injuries to Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell. He has seen every defensive snap for the Broncos in three games this year, including the last two, against the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. In those two games, he recorded 15 total tackles and defended one pass.

Johnson and Jewell are currently scheduled to become free agents following the season. Browning is a star in the making for the Broncos defense and I think that he will end up continuing to develop nicely. The thing I find intriguing is that we don’t exactly know who will be in charge of the defense in 2022. Vic Fangio could be on his way out, leaving question marks for who will be on the team.

Will Denver re-sign both Johnson and Jewell? Or will the Denver Broncos head into 2022 with Browning and Justin Strnad playing significantly bigger roles?

The best plan for Browning is to get him more experience. He’ll have the rest of the 2021 season, barring injury, to do so. Maybe in 2022, the Broncos will have an even bigger role for him.