Baron Browning

Baron Browning (born February 19, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Baron Browning

Browning with the Denver Broncos in 2021
No. 5 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1999-02-19) February 19, 1999 (age 26) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Kennedale (Kennedale, Texas)
College:	Ohio State (2017–2020)
NFL draft:	2021: 3rd round, 105th pick
Career history
Denver Broncos (2021–2024) Arizona Cardinals (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-Big Ten (2020)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 128 Sacks: 11.5 Pass deflections: 6 Interceptions: 1 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Browning attended Kennedale High School in Kennedale, Texas. A five star recruit, he played in the 2017 U.S. Army All American Bowl and was a finalist for the Butkus Award.^[1] He committed to Ohio State University to play college football.^[2][3]

College career

As a true freshman at Ohio State in 2017, Browning played in 12 games and had 14 tackles.^[4] He started three of 12 games his sophomore year in 2018, recording 24 tackles and one sack. He again played in 12 games his junior year in 2019, finishing with 43 tackles and five sacks.^[5][6] Browning returned to Ohio State for his senior year in 2020 and was moved from middle linebacker to outside linebacker.^[7][8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+3⁄4 in (1.90 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m)	9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m)	4.55 s	1.56 s	2.69 s	4.22 s	6.78 s	40.0 in (1.02 m)	10 ft 10 in (3.30 m)	23 reps
All values from Pro Day[9][10][11]

Denver Broncos

Browning was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round, 105th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.^[12] He signed his four-year rookie contract with Denver on July 22, 2021.^[13]

Browning started his tenure with the Broncos as an inside linebacker but was eventually moved to the outside linebacker group.

Browning was placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the 2023 season.^[14] He was activated on October 21, 2023.^[15]

On September 21, 2024, Browning was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.^[16] He was activated on October 17.^[17]

Arizona Cardinals

On November 4, 2024, the Broncos traded Browning to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2025 sixth-round pick.^[18]

On March 9, 2025, Browning signed a two-year, $15 million extension with the Cardinals, with a potential additional $4 million in incentives.^[19]