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Arizona Cardinals: 5 potential second-round wide receiver targets

By Avery Duncan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Wide receivers (from left) Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin of Ohio State, Emmanuel Butler of Northern Arizona and Tyre Brady of Marshall look on during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Wide receivers (from left) Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin of Ohio State, Emmanuel Butler of Northern Arizona and Tyre Brady of Marshall look on during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

A.J. Brown, Ole Miss

College stats (3 seasons): 188 receptions, 2,972 yards, 19 touchdowns

While former Ole Miss teammate D.K. Metcalf wide receiver has set the NFL landscape ablaze since recording a 4.33 second 40-yard-dash at the combine, A.J. Brown continued to earn recognition as one of the better receiving prospects in the 2019 class.

Comparisons for receivers might be lazy, but it’s hard not to see some JuJu Smith-Schuster in Brown’s game. The Ole Miss product compares favorably to the Steelers’ star in that they are both effective in the slot or outside, but are best when used as a mismatch-monster as a big slot receiver due to his solid 6-foot, 226-pound frame.

At the combine, Brown recorded a 4.49 second 40-yard-dash, a 36.5-inch vertical, and a 120-inch broad jump — all good results for the position. But, he’s more than an athletic prospect. Whether the route is short, long, horizontal, or vertical, Brown can will himself open with quick feet, ideal hip movement, and sharp breaks.

Brown’s also not afraid to attack the middle of the field and has the hands to pluck balls out of the air. After the catch, Brown uses his big frame and running back-esque vision to churn through yardage (and tackles) which results in his 1,425 yards after the catch in college, per Pro Football Focus. However, he might fall to the second due to a lack of press coverage tape, history of playing in the slot, and good but not great speed.

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