The Numbers
A.J. Brown finished the season with 70 catches on 106 targets in 14 total appearances. He turned 11 of those catches into touchdowns and used his opportunities to combine for 1,075 yards through the air.
Alright, some things you should know about those numbers.
A.J. Brown’s 2020 production made him one of just 18 players with over 1,000 receiving yards, one of just eight players to reach that mark with over 10 touchdowns to his name, and one of 10 players to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark both this season– and the one before, joining a list of All-Pros at the position like DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Lockett.
Okay, some other things that you should know about those numbers.
Because while Brown’s numbers stand well enough on their own, and put the second-year player into some rarified, All-Pro level air, they’re also due for a bit of context. A.J. Brown’s 1,075 receiving yards are great– but it has him ranked just 16th in the league. Keep in mind, however, the team Brown suits up for on Sundays.
Since Brown’s arrival to the Tennessee Titans, the offense has been one that does most of their business on the ground. Derrick Henry, the unquestioned, 2,000-yard star of the offensive show, was responsible for nearly 400 touches through the 2020 season, contributing to the Titans throwing the third-fewest passes in the league.
In the Tennessee offense, Brown had limited chance to showcase his skill compared to a few of the names in front of him on the stat sheet, especially while competing for those few passing reps with emerging young pass-catchers in Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith.
And even still, A.J. Brown flourished He still reached over 1,000 yards. He still scored 11 times. Looking at all that with volume in mind, and Brown’s case for one of the league’s best players starts to take shape.
Only one member of the 1,000-yard receiving club hit that mark on fewer receptions than Brown. Nobody that got there did so on as few targets, and only five players, a list including three All-Pro’s, had more total touchdown catches– but nobody had more on as few of targets as Brown.
Brown, even with his volume, was able to put up numbers that have him well in the ranks of the league’s elite. But with volume typically fitting of an elite receiver, Brown’s numbers would look as good as anyone, if not better.
Take Stefon Diggs’ volume, the league’s leader in targets with 166, and give it to Brown. What you get is a player who would have finished with 109 receptions based on Brown’s 66% catch rate, nearly 1,700 receiving yards based on his 15.4 yards per catch, and an astronomical 17 touchdown catches for a player averaging a touchdown every 6.36 receptions.
All this to say, A.J. Brown good.