Tag: Baron Browning

Baron Browning headlines 3 Cardinals in top 100 free agents for 2025

Check out which three Cardinals free agents are among the top 100 available, according to PFF.

The Arizona Cardinals have 20 players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents at the beginning of the new league year in March. Three of them are considered to be among the top free agents available.

PFF put together a list of the top 100 free agents for 2025. Three Cardinals players make the cut, although one you might expect to be there is not.

No. 39: OLB Baron Browning

The top Cardinals free agent is Browning, whom they acquired from the Denver Broncos before the trade deadline. Browning had two sacks in eight games while with the Cardinals but has shown some promise.

Browning’s 14.2% pressure rate over the 2022-23 seasons ranked 24th among edge defenders, and he converted from off-ball linebacker to a full-time edge rusher in 2022. Injuries are the only thing keeping Browning from being a consistent problem off the edge for opposing offenses.

No. 72: OLB Dennis Gardeck

Gardeck suffered a torn ACL and only played in only seven games, logging three sacks, which led the team at the time. He led the Cardinals with six sacks in 2023. He has proven that he can play every down and has been an impact special teams player his entire career. He is now 30 years old.

No. 93: OL Will Hernandez

Hernandez is another coming off a torn ACL. He will be 30 when next season begins.

 The former second-round pick offers a high floor as a pass protector on the interior. 

Hernandez is a great run blocker and solid in pass protection, and he will add a little nastiness to any offensive line.

Not included: LB Kyzir White

White does not crack the top 100 despite having what was a Pro Bowl-cailber season in 2023 before he tore his biceps, ending his season. He had 137 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season, so his production certainly didn’t fall off.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Late season addition named free agent Cardinals can’t afford to lose

PFF believes the Cardinals can’t afford to lose linebacker Baron Browning in free agency.

NFL free agency a few weeks away still and NFL teams can still negotiate with players whose contracts will expire in March. Every team has pending free agents they don’t want to lose.

PFF named the free agent each team can’t lose to afford.

You might be surprised by their pick for the Arizona Cardinals.

For Arizona, it is outside linebacker Baron Browning.

Browning turns just 26 years old this offseason after providing the Cardinals with production as a rotational pass-rusher in 2024. He joined Arizona via a trade with the Denver Broncos, and his 77.3 PFF pass-rush grade led the team despite his arrival not coming until Week 10. Browning produced multiple pressures in four of his last five games, as well. The Cardinals still need to find a star edge defender, possibly in the draft, but Browning would be a nice pass-rush piece to keep around.

The Cardinals traded a sixth-round pick to acquire him. It would seem like they intended on retaining him.

The Cardinals have Browning, Dennis Gardeck, Jesse Luketa, Victor Dimukeje and Julian Okwara, all outside linebackers, scheduled to be free agents. That leaves only Zaven Collins, 2023 second-round pick BJ Ojulari and 2024 rookie Xavier Thomas as the only edge rushers under contract.

Browning has a nice upside. He had five sacks in 2022 and 4.5 in 2023.

One would think he would be a priority to retain, but it will depend on what Browning is looking for. If he values himself as an untapped potential sack star, he might price himself out of what the Cardinals are willing to pay.

But as for the most important free agent the Cardinals have, he might be the guy.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Broncos order of picks in 2025 NFL draft

The Broncos hold seven picks in the 2025 NFL draft, including their own selections in the first four rounds.

The Denver Broncos currently hold seven picks in the 2025 NFL draft, including their own selections in the first four rounds.

After finishing the 2024 regular season with a 10-7 record and then getting knocked out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round, the Broncos will pick 20th overall in the first round of the draft.

Denver does not hold a fifth-round pick after trading that pick and pass rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds and first- and fourth-round draft picks. (The Broncos later used that first-round pick to acquire coach Sean Payton in 2023.)

Denver also does not hold a seventh-round pick after trading that selection and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

The Broncos have their own picks in the first four rounds for the first time since the Russell Wilson trade, and they hold three picks in the sixth round following the Baron Browning trade from earlier this season.

Here’s a look at the team’s order of picks in next year’s NFL draft, with help from prosportstransactions.com.

Broncos order of picks in 2025 NFL draft

  • Round 1: own pick (20th overall)
  • Round 2: own pick (51st overall)
  • Round 3: own pick (85th overall)
  • Round 4: own pick (TBD)
  • Round 6: acquired from Cardinals (TBD)
  • Round 6: own pick (TBD)
  • Round 6: acquired from Eagles (TBD)

The league will award compensatory picks beyond the third round this spring, but Denver is not projected to get any comp picks in 2025. The exact placement of the Broncos’ picks in the second half of the draft will be known after other teams receive their comp picks.

The 2025 NFL draft will be held in Green Bay from April 24-26.

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When will the Broncos pick in the first round of 2025 NFL draft?

The Broncos are set to pick 20th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

After being eliminated from the NFL playoffs with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are set to pick 20th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

Fourteen teams make the playoffs each season, so the final 14 picks in the first round are determined as clubs are knocked out of the postseason. Denver is now set to pick at No. 20, according to Tankathon.

The Broncos have their own picks in the first four rounds for the first time since the Russell Wilson trade, and they hold three picks in the sixth round following the Baron Browning trade from earlier this season.

Here’s a look at the team’s order of picks in next year’s NFL draft, with help from prosportstransactions.com.

Broncos order of picks in 2025 NFL draft

Denver does not hold a fifth-round pick after trading that pick and pass rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds and first- and fourth-round draft picks. (The Broncos later used that first-round pick to acquire coach Sean Payton in 2023.)

Denver also does not hold a seventh-round pick after trading that selection and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

The 2025 NFL draft will be held in Green Bay from April 24-26.

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Broncos won’t pick higher than 19th overall in 2025 NFL draft

The Broncos’ 2025 NFL draft position will be finalized after the playoffs. Denver won’t pick higher than 19th overall.

After clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs, the Denver Broncos won’t pick higher than 19th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

Fourteen teams make the playoffs each season, so the final 14 picks in the first round won’t be determined until after teams are knocked out of the postseason. The higher pick Denver could hold in April is 19th overall, according to Tankathon.

The Broncos have their own picks in the first four rounds for the first time since the Russell Wilson trade, and they hold three picks in the sixth round following the Baron Browning trade from earlier this season.

Here’s a look at the team’s order of picks in next year’s NFL draft, with help from prosportstransactions.com.

Broncos order of picks in 2025 NFL draft

Denver does not hold a fifth-round pick after trading that pick and pass rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds and first- and fourth-round draft picks. (The Broncos later used that first-round pick to acquire coach Sean Payton in 2023.)

Denver also does not hold a seventh-round pick after trading that selection and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

The 2025 NFL draft will be held in Green Bay from April 24-26.

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Banged-up Cardinals suffer more injuries in loss to Panthers, including James Conner

James Conner was among four more key players for the Cardinals to get hurt in their loss to the Panthers.

The Arizona Cardinals entered Week 16 with several key players injured. Facing the Carolina Panthers, they played without left tackle Paris Johnson, who has a knee injury that could keep him out multiple weeks, running back Trey Benson with an ankle injury, inside linebacker Mack Wilson with a concussion and outside linebacker Jesse Luketa, placed on injured reserve with a thigh injury.

In their 36-30 overtime loss that eliminated them from postseason contention, more key players went down.

  • Running back James Conner, who had up until that point rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and caught four passes for 49 yards, injured his right knee and could not return.
  • Starting right tackle Jonah Williams went down a play after Conner came out. He hurt his knee and had to be assisted to the locker room. His injury looked like it could be serious. ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss noted after the game that Williams left on crutches with a brace on his knee.
  • Linebacker Baron Browning, who had a sack for the second straight week and two tackles, left with a neck injury and didn’t return.
  • Safety Joey Blount, perhaps their best special teams player, made a tackle on a punt play and injured his ribs. He was in a lot of pain and did not return.

The Cardinals have two games remaining on the schedule. We will see if any of these players will be able to play again.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Broncos’ depth chart for ‘Monday Night Football’ vs. Browns

This is how the Broncos’ depth chart shakes out going into ‘Monday Night Football’ against the Browns.

After making five roster moves last week, the Denver Broncos have updated their depth chart ahead of a Monday Night Football clash with the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

The Broncos cut tight end Greg Dulcich, activated linebacker Drew Sanders, dropped lineman Calvin Throckmorton down to the practice squad and promoted linebacker Zach Cunningham last week.

Note that the Cunningham and Sanders additions are not yet reflected on the team’s published depth chart, so we added them below as a projection.

Following those moves, here’s a look at the team’s updated depth chart going into the Browns game.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers Nick Gargiulo
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

Note that cornerback Riley Moss (knee) has been ruled out.

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman Drew Sanders
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Monday’s game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Playing at home, the Broncos are considered favorites in Week 13.

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Broncos’ updated depth chart following recent roster moves

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart following this week’s roster moves.

After making five roster moves earlier this week, the Denver Broncos have updated their depth chart ahead of a Monday Night Football clash with the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

The Broncos cut tight end Greg Dulcich, activated linebacker Drew Sanders, dropped lineman Calvin Throckmorton down to the practice squad and promoted linebacker Zach Cunningham this week.

Note that the Cunningham and Sanders additions are not yet reflected on the team’s published depth chart, so we added them below as a projection.

Following those moves, here’s a look at the team’s updated depth chart going into the Browns game.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman Drew Sanders
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Monday’s game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Playing at home, the Broncos are considered favorites in Week 13.

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Lions poach linebacker from Broncos’ practice squad

The Lions have signed linebacker Kwon Alexander off the Broncos’ practice squad.

The Detroit Lions are poaching a linebacker from the Denver Broncos.

The Lions have signed linebacker Kwon Alexander off the Broncos’ practice squad to their own 53-man roster. Denver could have prevented it by promoting Alexander, but the team previously opted to promote Zach Cunningham from the practice squad to the active roster earlier this week.

The news was broken by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday morning and has since been confirmed by multiple outlets. Detroit added Alexander after losing Malcolm Rodriguez to a knee injury on Thanksgiving.

Alexander (6-1, 227 pounds) used up his three practice squad elevations in Denver by rotating with Justin Strnad (6-3, 235 pounds) at inside linebacker from Weeks 7-9. Alexander even started two of those games and he got a season-high 31 snaps in Week 9. Strnad’s snaps dropped from 42 to 37 to 14 in the games Alexander played.

Alexander totaled eight tackles, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble in his three games with Denver before landing in Detroit.

Alexander, a 30-year-old veteran, and Cunningham joined the practice squad in September after the Broncos lost Alex Singleton to a season-ending knee injury. Cody Barton and Strnad have been starting at inside linebacker. Cunningham and Levelle Bailey will be the remaining depth options in Denver after the team lost Alexander.

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Broncos’ updated 53-man roster after recent moves

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 53-man roster going into the Browns game.

The Denver Broncos made a series of roster moves this week ahead of their Monday Night Football clash with the Cleveland Browns.

Most notably, the Broncos cut tight end Greg Dulcich and promoted linebacker Zach Cuningham from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Following the team’s five transactions this week, here’s a look at the updated active roster going into Week 13.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Audric Estime 23
FB Michael Burton 20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Mike McGlinchey 69
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
C/G Luke Wattenberg 60
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
LB Drew Sanders  41
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Levelle Bailey 56
ILB Zach Cunningham 42
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
CB Damarri Mathis 27
DB Devon Key 26
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and a 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract, plus several players on injured reserve.

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