A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi #1
6010, 230, 4.53
Notes: From Starkville, MS. Full name is Arthur Brown. Committed to play both football and baseball at Ole Miss, despite growing up just a few miles from rival Mississippi State campus. Selected in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres and has participated in the team’s extended spring training during the summers. His signing with the Padres prevented him from playing at Ole Miss, but he remained eligible to play football. Played in every game with one start, caught 29 passes for 412 yards (14.2 avg.) and 2 touchdowns in 2016. Started all 12 games and caught 75-1,252-11 (16.7 avg.) in 2017; set a school record with 233 receiving yards in the season-opener against South Alabama.
Positives: Can play outside or from the slot. Excellent hands. Very productive and dependable. A go-to guy for his quarterback. Open even when he is covered. Can win in contested ball situations. Physical receiver with nice size, play strength and competitiveness. High points the ball extremely well. Uses his strength and physicality to create space from defenders. Good speed for his size.
Negatives: Lacks great explosiveness and genuine stretch-the-field sustained speed. Some questions concerning his ability to create separation from defenders with his quickness.
Summary: Potential first-round pick. Will likely be perceived and compared a lot to former Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell, who has taken some time to adjust and get open against NFL cornerbacks.
