Pittsburgh Steelers: Mid-late-round targets in 2021 NFL Draft
By Jonah Hovis
Pittsburgh Steelers mid-late round targets: Baron Browning, LB Ohio State
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot of injuries at inside linebacker this season. They went through a lot of guys at the starting roles due to injury like Avery Williamson, Robert Spillane, and converted safety Marcus Allen.
All three of those guys’ contracts are up this offseason and most likely the Steelers will need an inside linebacker to provide depth and potentially become a starting once the aging Vince Williams begins to regress.
A talented athletic inside backer out of Ohio State, Baron Browning could be a nice fit to put in the middle of the second level of the Steel Curtain. Browning stands at 6-foot 3 and weighs a solid 240 pounds. Browning is a raw and exciting prospect whose best play might be ahead of him.
Browning is an athletic, speedy linebacker who could rise in draft boards simply off his pure talent of chasing down opposing players and filling gaps quickly.
Browning was in the Senior Bowl this season and showed well there, proving he is able to fill gaps and set the edge on outside runs. Browning shows that he has the capability in his feet and movements to be solid in coverage and really good in rundowns.
His recognition and awareness need some improvement, but if that happens it would make him one of the top prospects behind Zaven Collins and others in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
Browning is a day two guy and will most likely not fall out of the third round. With Browning’s speed and athleticism, he is a great fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers in what they like from their interior linebackers. Browning could be a target for the Steelers come round two or three if they feel like this is a position of need after losing guys in free agency.