NFL.com’s 2014 re-draft: Cardinals’ John Brown is first-round material
Apr 23, 2015, 11:06 PM | Updated: 11:06 pm
Not many people knew of the small wide receiver out of Pittsburg State going into the 2014 NFL Draft. John Brown’s rookie season changed that.
The 5-foot-10, 179-pound Brown was a pleasant surprise for the Arizona Cardinals last year, as he was second on the team with five receiving touchdowns and 48 receptions. He also had 696 receiving yards, which was good for third best on the team.
Selected in the third round as part of one of the best receiving classes of all time, NFL.com decided to do a 2014 wide receiver re-draft. They said Brown is a first-round play-maker.
Brown immediately impressed the Cardinals with his 4.34 speed, uncanny instincts and unexpected understanding of route concepts. Arizona’s defensive backs found him uncoverable in offseason and training-camp practices.
On the heels of an impressive preseason, his uncommon stop-start quickness was hardly a surprise. What stood out on Game Rewind was Brown’s impressive leaping ability, great ball skills and sure hands.
Brown was the fifth wide receiver selected in the re-draft behind Odell Beckham, Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins and Kelvin Benjamin.
In reality, Brown was the 15th wide receiver picked at No. 91 overall.
Brown was 10th among all rookies in receptions and seventh in receiving yards last season. He was the first Cardinals rookie to record over 650 receiving yards since Larry Fitzgerald had 780 in 2004.
