Cardinals trade reevaluation for EDGE Baron Browning gets an upgrade
The Cardinals trade for Baron Browning last season was upgraded from a "B" to a "B+" in a reevaluation of deals from last year's trade deadline.
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Defensive line was the biggest point of emphasis this offseason for the Arizona Cardinals and resigning EDGE rusher Baron Browning was one addition that helped stabilize that position group.
Browning has the second most snaps from the defensive end position for the Cardinals with 249, behind only Sweat (257), according to The Football Guys.
He was acquired last season at the trade deadline for a sixth round draft pick in a trade with the Denver Broncos and ESPN’s Seth Walder originally gave the Cardinals a “B” grade when the trade was made.
In a reevaluation, Walder upgraded the it to a “B+” for Arizona.
Browning was on the field 47% of the time for the Cardinals last season — more often in passing situations — and recorded an impressive 23% pass rush win rate at edge in that span (a very strong number), albeit with only 2.0 sacks and an average 9% pressure rate. But Browning was a helpful presence on the Cardinals, even though they finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
The Cardinals re-signed Browning in the offseason to a reasonable two-year, $15 million deal. He’s playing a shade more this season and has a 17% pass rush win rate and 11% pressure rate — both slightly above average — along with two sacks. Finding a capable edge rusher on an affordable contract is not easy to do, so this was a good move for the Cardinals.
This season, Browning ranks third on the team in sacks with two. Only prized offseason acquisitions Josh Sweat (five) and Calais Campbell (three) have more.
He is one of three players on the Cardinals with an interception this season and is one of two players with a fumble recovery.
In a season that has had few bright spots, Browning and the defensive line have been a reliable unit.
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Comments
5 Comments
6”4/300 DT Walter Nolen is a monstrous beast of a pass rusher in the middle who will help boost Brownings sack total off the EDGE flushing QBs/RBs over to his side of the pocket…. Jones Jones and ED BJ Ojulari will both be in the next few weeks as well, A healthy Ojulari with a healthy Nolen dropped in the middle could really re energize and bolster that front 7 w/ talent making them one of the games elite pass rushing fronts with a healthy Walter Nolan/Jon Jones joining up with a healthy Calais Campbell, Bilal Nichols n Jordan Burch to greatly improve their interior pass rush.
With an elite loaded premier top 5-10 caliber pass def with a healthy top 5 caliber PFF CB Will Johnson n elite top 5 CB Garrett Williams healthy n back in action soon as is excellent very solid above avg
6”1-195pd CB Max Melton . Rookie 6”0-195 CB Denzel Burke extremely solid/promising to loaded with one of the best starting SAF trios in football between Budda Baker, Dadrion Taylor Demerson n Jalen Thompson.
In a few weeks here as soon as premier CB Garrett Williams is back into action with A Will Johnson back trailing in pass coverage they’ll have one of the 5 most gifted pass defenses j the NFL at that point. M
Little more talent, more competent coaching
He also said that Seattle blitzes about the same rate as the Cards but is #2 in sacks. Wat does that tell ya? Talent, scheme or motor?