It was just a rookie mini-camp, guys. I get it – he’s playing against a bunch of guys who likely won’t be on the final 53-man Tennessee Titans roster. But, given the electric ability of A.J. Brown and the opportunity he has in front of him, you can’t help but be a little bit excited when you see stuff like this:
First glimpse of the #Titans new No. 18. AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) goes up high with one hand, pulls in the catch and stays inbounds. pic.twitter.com/5qCPmlXvem
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) May 11, 2019
Not only were drops (in critical moments of games, no less) an issue in 2018, but the offense just seemed to lack a certain “mmph.” The Titans signed Adam Humphries to a major deal. And, they invested their 2nd round pick in the former Ole Miss wide receiver Brown. Upgrading the receiving corps was obviously a priority, and the Titans addressed it.
Brown has all the physical tools that you’d look for in a stud receiver. At 6’0″ 226, the guy is built like a brick shithouse. Nashville media was even remarking that he looked like more of a linebacker than a wide receiver. But, that frame can flat out make people miss. Lance Zierlein’s NFL comparison is JuJu Smith-Schuster. If that trajectory holds true, the Titans would certainly take it.
So, you read that before the draft, you see what he’s doing at rookie minicamps, and it’s hard not to be fired up. But, then you also read that he’s showing up early and staying late at the camp, telling Jim Wyatt:
“Right now, I just really want to show I am a hard worker, and I want to be a part of the team. I am just going to come out here and work my tail off.”
…..and it’s the full on Vince-McMahon-tipping-back-in-the-chair meme. It sure seems like he’s a stud in the making. Again, feels like shit to say that out loud when we haven’t seen a down of NFL football out of the kid. But, Titans fans aren’t the only ones hopeful about Brown’s impact on the Titans offense. PFF actually has Brown on their 2018 ‘Offensive Rookie of the Year’ Watch List.
Courtesy of Pro Football Focus:
Brown is another receiver who should get a good deal of schemed targets right away because of his YAC ability. Brown broke 40 tackles on 159 catches over the past two seasons at Ole Miss. The Titans don’t have another receiver in the starting lineup that can replicate that sort of production.
Brown has an opportunity to become an impact player, starting opposite Corey Davis in Week 1. Arthur Smith can use him in the slot, on screens – just get the ball in his hands and let him YAC up the joint. I imagine that’s the vision, but Brown is a lot more than a running back in the slot.
I’m eager to see how they use him outside as well as in the slot, and how he holds up when the competition takes a step up in OTAs and training camp. Then, the preseason….then, actual games. He’s going to be one of the most watched players by Titans fans this summer.
I know people are going to bring up the Titans history of drafting receivers, but with Brown, it’s definitely so far so good. So good, in fact, that we’re all telling each other to calm down.
Check out the latest (and first) episode of The Unofficial Titans Podcast here.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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