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John Brown

Big-play wideout moving on again

Buffalo released John Brown yesterday, which wasn't surprising. It saves the team nearly $8 million against the salary cap, and they have a much cheaper, explosive option in fourth-rounder Gabriel Davis set to take over. But I will be interested in where Brown signs. The 30-year-old has exceeded expectations for much of his career.

He was injured for nearly half of last season, but it's unfair to label him as injury prone. In his six other seasons, he's played in at least 15 games five times. And he's been a big-play threat all along. For his career he's averaged nearly 15 yards per catch, with a pair of 1,000-yard campaigns, with Arizona and also with Buffalo a year ago.

In those 1,000-yard seasons he caught 65 and 72 passes. Since he entered the league, there have been just 32 other 1,000-yard seasons where receivers caught fewer than 75 passes. Just eight times a wideout did so on fewer receptions than his 65.

1000-YARD WIDEOUTS, FEWEST RECEPTIONS (2014-PRESENT)
YearPlayerTgtRecYdsAvgTD
2019Mike Williams, LAC9049100120.42
2019A.J. Brown, Ten.8452105120.28
2016DeSean Jackson, Was.10056100518.04
2014DeSean Jackson, Was.9556116920.96
2015Sammy Watkins, Buff.9660104717.59
2017Marvin Jones, Det.10761110118.19
2019Stefon Diggs, Min.9463113017.96
2015Allen Hurns, Jac.10564103116.110
2015John Brown, Ariz.10165100315.47
2019Kenny Golladay, Det.11665119018.311
2017Brandin Cooks, N.E.11465108216.77
2020DJ Moore, Car.11866119318.14
2019Michael Gallup, Dall.11366110716.86
2019Mike Evans, T.B.11867115717.38
2016Kenny Britt, LAR11168100214.75
2014Mike Evans, T.B.12268105115.512
2016Tyrell Williams, S.D.11969105915.47
2015T.Y. Hilton, Ind.13469112416.35
2014A.J. Green, Cin.11769104115.16
2020A.J. Brown, Ten.10670107515.411
2020Mike Evans, T.B.10970100614.413
2018Kenny Golladay, Det.11970106315.25
2014Vincent Jackson, T.B.14270100214.32
2017Mike Evans, T.B.13671100114.15
2014Calvin Johnson, Det.12871107715.28
2019DeVante Parker, Mia.12872120216.79
2019Courtland Sutton, Den.12472111215.46
2019John Brown, Buff.11572106014.76
2016Mike Wallace, Balt.11672101714.14
2015Amari Cooper, Oak.13072107014.96
2019DJ Chark, Jac.11873100813.88
2014Kelvin Benjamin, Car.14573100813.89
2019Odell Beckham, Cle.13374103514.04
2015Mike Evans, T.B.14874120616.33

Several players really stand out in this regard. A.J. Brown has done it each of his first two years in the league, while Mike Evans shows up on the list five times. A couple of guys headed for free agency, Kenny Golladay and elderly DeSean Jackson, are also well-represented.

Brown will probably be viewed as a No. 3 by some team; maybe a reunion with Baltimore is possible. But I think he might surprise as a top-2 option somewhere. Should have plenty of game left.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index