Arizona Cardinals - Fantasy News

John Brown 2017 Fantasy Projection

by Aaron Bowers

8/12/17

NFL

Arizona Cardinals

John Brown

A 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the Combine helped John Brown get drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

In his first two years in the league, Brown established himself as a vertical threat that excelled at gaining yards after the catch. But 2016 was not kind to Brown or the Arizona Cardinals.

Quarterback Carson Palmer played poorly, many key players were suspended or injured—including Brown—and the team finished 7-8-1. Brown’s mid-season hamstring strain was complicated by his diagnosis of sickle cell trait, and his inability to stay on the field opened the door for the emergence of fellow receiver J.J. Nelson.

Brown will need to stay healthy to earn his job back and find fantasy success in 2017.

Why John Brown Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Football Stud

When Brown is healthy, there are few players in the league with his abilities. He is best known for his speed, but he also runs excellent routes and is great with the ball in his hands. He is an efficient pass catcher, only dropping eight throws on 276 targets. Brown has all the tools needed to consistently rack up Dober Fantasy Points.

Head coach Bruce Arians and his cabbie cap love to throw the ball. The Cardinals dialed up the third-most pass attempts in the NFL in 2016. With Palmer and a bevy of excellent offensive weapons, there is a good chance that trend holds up in 2017. Brown should be on the receiving end of his fair share of throws, and when he gets the ball in space, he can make big plays.

Returning from injury to an offense crowded with receiving weapons and uncertain quarterback play, Brown should have relatively low Projected Fantasy Points. But if he can stay on the field and reassert himself as one of the top receiving options on the team, he has a great chance to outperform expectations.

Why John Brown Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Football Dud

As the quarterback goes, so goes the offense. That is the story of the last two seasons in Arizona.

Palmer was terrific in 2015, leading a top-ranked Cardinals offense that scored 30.1 points per game. In 2016, his play dropped off, as he threw fewer touchdowns and more interceptions. The team’s scoring subsequently dropped to 26.1 points per contest. If Palmer struggles again, his weapons—including Brown—will struggle to find fantasy value.

The best offensive player on the team is running back David Johnson. Arians made it a point to get the ball to Johnson at every opportunity, leading to over 2,100 total yards and 20 touchdowns for the second-year player. With the level of success Johnson was able to sustain and Palmer’s struggles, the Cardinals passing offense may be past its peak.

Nelson and Jaron Brown are similarly sized, equally fast receivers that are almost interchangeable with John Brown. All three fill the same role in the offense as vertical receivers who are threats to run after the catch. This may make it difficult for John Brown to set himself apart again even if he remains healthy.