The first round of the 2021 NFL draft kicks off on Thursday, April 29th, in Cleveland and there will no doubt be a few Ohio State football players that hear their names called. We have been grinding away evaluating and finding comparisons for former Buckeyes including most recently, Tommy Togiai, Jonathon Cooper & Josh Myers.
Today we are diving into the best overall comparison and best Ohio State alumni comparison for linebacker Baron Browning. The former five-star recruit was an absolute stud coming from the state of Texas, but it took him some time to really hit his stride in Columbus.
Player Profile
Name: Baron Browning
Position: Inside Linebacker
Height: 6-feet, 2-inches
Weight: 245-pounds
Baron Browning is the best off ball LB I’ve evaluated in the 10+ years I’ve been doing this. He’s better than Roquan Smith. He’s better than any Alabama linebacker. If it wasn’t for the fact he’s never played a full season, I would have barely any issues in his evaluation.
— Matt Williams (@CaddytotheLama) April 9, 2021
NEXT … The closest all-around comp to Browning
All-around Comparison: K.J. Wright
Wright was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks, and despite being a middle-round selection, has had a phenomenal career. He was an integral part of a Super Bowl victory, has earned a Pro-Bowl selection, and recently won the team’s Steve Largent Award.
Browning is a much better prospect than Wright, but they both have elite athleticism that allows them to be utilized as chess pieces across the second level of the defense. The reason why Browning is on another tier is due to him being a better athlete and more ideal for dropping back in coverage.
Some NFL Free Agents still available:
KJ Wright
Antonio Brown
Melvin Ingram
Richard Sherman
Casey Hayward
Jadeveon Clowney— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 6, 2021
NEXT … Best former Ohio State comp
Togiai’s best Buckeye Comparison: Raekwon McMillan
McMillan was drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft by the Miami Dolphins, where he played until he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders this past season. McMillan signed with the New England Patriots during this free agency cycle. He has been a solid player.
McMillan was a better prospect coming out of Columbus than Browning currently is, but that is due to the production and experience that McMillan had as a starter. They are both similar in the fact that they are prototype linebackers with the ability to play in the middle or on the outside. Football IQ is a trait that can be improved through reps and for this reason, I believe Browning can have a more successful career and will likely be drafted in the same range that McMillan was.
Compensation update: Raiders are trading a 2021 fourth-round pick to Miami for Dolphins’ linebacker Raekwon McMillan and a 2021 fifth-round pick, per source. Good value for Raiders, but McMillan is in the last year of his deal. https://t.co/kkWF5UHccR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2020
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