Fantasy Upside
Brown is clearly the No. 1 receiver in Pittsburgh. He ranked second in the NFL in targets last season behind Pierre Garcon with 166 and he caught 110 of those, a catch rate of 66 percent. He was second in the NFL in receptions and yards with 1,499.
Fantasy Downside
The only thing that keeps Brown from being a top-five receiver is that at 5-10, he lacks the size of some of the other top guys. That limits him in the red zone, though he did score eight times in 2013. The Steelers are also determined to run the ball more this season, as well.
Bottom Line
Brown’s ADP is 22, which means you can get him at the end of the second round or early in the third of most drafts. Obviously, he has greater value in PPR leagues. He was amazingly consistent in 2013, catching at least five passes and gaining at least 50 yards in all 16 games. Because of the way he’s used by the Steelers, it’s difficult for opponents to take him out of games. With Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders – and their 16 touchdown catches in 2013 – gone, Brown could see his red zone targets increase.