After leading the league in receiving yards last year, can Antonio Brown repeat that feat in 2015?
Who predicted that a 5’10” receiver would outdo wideouts like Calvin Johnson and Dez Bryant in receiving yards last season? Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers took the league by storm and never looked back. The three-headed monster that is the Steelers’ offense, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and Brown out wide, was a nightmare for defenses all season. But what can you expect from Brown in 2015 and does his ADP justify his expected fantasy production?
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There are a few things to note when it comes to drafting Brown in fantasy leagues. First, the Steelers will have the toughest schedule in the NFL this season. Second, Bell will be suspended for at least the first three games of the season, barring any change due to his appeal. How Bell’s absence will influence Brown’s production is yet to be seen, whether it be a positive or a negative. More targets could equal to more yards for Brown, but less focus on the run game will allow defenses to add coverage to Brown on the outside. Should those concerns stop you from drafting Brown in the first round? Absolutely not.
Brown is entering his sixth season in the NFL and seems to be hitting his peak at the perfect time. Brown is an explosive receiver who is precise in his routes. Despite being less than six feet tall, going up and getting the ball is not difficult for him. It is incredible to watch a player with the skill set and work ethic Brown boasts on a weekly basis. His release off the line of scrimmage is what gives him the space he needs, whether it be big or small. Matching up just one cornerback on Brown can prove to be a death wish for defenses. However, the Steelers have a “pick your poison” type of offense because Le’Veon Bell draws so much defensive attention even though they can beat foes through the air also.
It is important to note that Brown averaged 13.2 yards per catch on 181 targets this past season. With eight games of 100+ yards, Brown’s production never staggered severely. In fact, Brown’s worst game in terms of receiving yards was in Week 10 against the Jets when he tallied 74 yards on nine targets. There were numerous doubts about Brown’s size and how we would fair in the NFL. But the combination of Brown’s hands and feet, matched by his unbreakable focus, facilitated his rise to stardom in the world’s toughest league. With reliable hands and a quick pair of feet, Brown can make any catch on the field and open up receivers for Big Ben to throw to.
Although you probably won’t see Brown karate kick any punters this year, those who draft Brown should expect plenty of touchdowns and a whole lot of receiving yards. Big Ben’s favorite target got 34 looks from 20 yards out inside the red zone, 18 looks from within 10 yards, and seven looks within five yards. The influx of opportunities to score in the red zone validates Brown’s expectations for 2015. Our site ranks the former sixth-round draft pick at No. 6 overall, but No. 1 at the wide receiver position. The Steelers’ wideout does not have a history of being injury prone, highlighted by his 1,061 snaps played in 2014, so no asterisks are necessary on your draft board.
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Daniel Rogers is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Daniel, check out his archive or follow him @DanielRogersFP.
