Antonio Brown is probably a top five wide receiver of all-time.
We can let that sit.
But it’s true. When the turmoil in Pittsburgh came to a head with him being traded to the Oakland Raiders, Brown was just 30. He was coming off of a career high in touchdowns.
A technician of a receiver at 5’10”, Brown’s game has never been overly dependent on sheer athleticism. By all accounts, he works day in and day out as much as any player in the NFL. Alongside his hands, his footwork and route running are what make him the greatest sub 6’2” receiver to ever play. So his game should age.
His production peak ended up being just six seasons. Let’s see how that six year run stacks up with the greatest receivers of all-time.
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings 1998-2003
525 receptions, 8375 yards, 77 touchdowns, 16.0 yards per reception
5.5 receptions per game, 58.3% catch rate (receptions divided by total targets), 9 fumbles on 548 touches
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers 1990-1995
596 receptions, 8759 yards, 80 touchdowns, 14.7 yards per reception
6.2 receptions per game, 67.2% catch rate (data only available from 1992 onward), 11 fumbles on 623 touches
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions 2008-2013
524 receptions, 8572 yards, 62 touchdowns, 16.4 yards per reception
5.8 receptions per game, 55.6% catch rate, 12 fumbles on 539 touches
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons 2014-2019
623 receptions, 9388 yards, 37 touchdowns, 15.1 yards per reception
6.8 receptions per game, 64.2% catch rate, 8 fumbles on 629 touches
Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts 1999-2004
649 receptions, 8707 yards, 77 touchdowns, 13.4 yards per reception
6.8 receptions per game, 64.7% catch rate, 7 fumbles on 654 touches
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers 2013-2018:
686 receptions (1st of the group), 9145 yards (2nd), 67 touchdowns (4th), 13.3 yards per reception (6th)
7.5 receptions per game (1st), 66.7% catch rate (2nd*), 10 fumbles on 703 touches (3rd)
Antonio Brown and Jerry Rice are the only players to lead the group in more than one category. Brown has the most 2nd places. Marvin Harrison is 2nd in receptions and tied for 2nd in touchdowns. Randy Moss is second in yards per reception and tied for 2nd in touchdowns. He’s 5’10” and far from the fastest in the group. Every other person here is 6’0”+. And so are Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, and DeAndre Hopkins, the next four guys that didn’t make the peak cut.
You don’t have to be convinced AB is the best here. But the very last time that he really got playing time, he was in his peak. That peak hangs with any we’ve ever seen. And unless you’re a Buccaneers fan, that’s terrifying.
*Jerry Rice’s catch rate is the only one with incomplete data.
cover image courtesy of playerprofiler.com
Comments