By Austin Medina
Entering his rookie season, Oklahoma tackle Orlando Brown Jr’s path was filled with uncertainty.
The third-round selection came in as a backup and finished the 2018 season as the Ravens starting right tackle. From expected backup, Brown Jr. went on to start 10 games (including a playoff start) en route to winning an AFC North crown.
With his second season underway, Brown Jr. has big goals lined up.
“I’m striving for everything I can have,” Brown stated on the Ravens website. “My personal goals are being an All-Pro, being a Pro Bowler. No sacks, no pressures, all those different things."
His exceptional footwork in the passing game will certainly help Lamar Jackson’s development. In 2018, Brown Jr. didn’t allow a sack and permitted just one quarterback hit.
Orlando Brown stopped TJ Watt's rush...then BURIED him into the turf pic.twitter.com/N3plNGw6JY
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam)
November 4, 2018 Praise for the 6’6, 345 pound-tackle has started to surface this offseason, though in October I felt Brown Jr. needed to be incorporated sooner. His size and football pedigree showed too much promise, even as a rookie. He thrived as a right tackle, particularly when Jackson became he full-time starter.
Brown Jr. may not have received Pro Bowl honors in 2018, but 2019 could be his year.
Ravens RT Orlando Brown started 10 games this year and went the entire season without allowing a sack, per @PFF. Ravens got an absolute steal by drafting him in the third round.
— Garrett Downing (@gdowning14)
January 1, 2019 In the run game, Brown Jr. showed at times how dominant he was on the line of scrimmage. He came into minicamp in great shape with added strength. Brown Jr. added that he felt “a lot more defined, a lot stronger in the weight room.”
Ravens strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders on Orlando Brown Jr: "If we had a Ravens X-Men, he'd be in it. He's a freak. He's a mutant. It's awesome."
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec)
April 16, 2019 Brown Jr’s development on the ground will only benefit the Ravens rush-heavy offense in 2019.
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