The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a symbol of stability in the NFL for the
last 50 years. In recent years, tensions in the organization have been growing, causing players like Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown to want a change of scenery. Bell sat out all of 2018, giving up over $14 million and is now a free agent. Antonio Brown’s frustrations with Roethlisberger and the organization grew throughout the season leading to his eventual request for a trade. The Steelers met with Brown and have agreed that it is time to part ways. They are expecting a fair compensation with Brandin Cooks and Amari Cooper both commanding a first round pick in return for their recent trades. Most teams in the league could use a talent like Brown, with a league leading 15 touchdowns in 2018; however, not many teams have the assets or the right situation for a wide receiver like him. Below are the 8 teams who I think have the assets, need, and situation to fit Antonio Brown.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts make the most sense to me as a landing spot for Antonio Brown. The team has three picks in the top 60 picks in this year’s draft. Andrew Luck is coming off one of his best years (2nd in pass attempts, 10th in completion percentage). He is playing behind a top offensive line who can protect him in the pocket (no sack 5 straight weeks). There is a respectable run game with Marlon Mack (17th in attempts, 20th in yards). Brown would play alongside T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron, making all three more dangerous. The Colts were tied for 2nd most offensive plays with the Patriots last season. That means they are able to stay on the field and score some points. Luck threw the 2nd most touchdowns last season with 39 touchdowns. Brown would definitely be able to add to that number. The defense is the real thing, laying claim to the 2018-2019 defensive rookie of the year, Darius Leonard. For a team that has most of the main positions covered and a lot of cap room, now is the time to capitalize. They could part with one of their 2nd round picks and even a 3rd to get him. This could make them a contender the entire AFC would need to watch out for.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are always a threat in situations like this. I think this is the last team the Steelers would want to make a deal with (even more than the Browns), but the Patriots are not afraid to give up 1st round picks for known commodities. Having already pursued Odell Beckham Jr. during the last season, it seems they are looking for a deep threat that Brady can rely on. If the Patriots are the most aggressive, the Steelers would need to weigh their options and make the decision based on what they could get in return rather than worrying about who they send Brown to. One reason this is such a good fit (besides having the best quarterback in history throwing to him) is the amount of plays New England puts up in a game. They were tied for the 2nd most offensive plays in the league last year, running the ball the 3rd most times in the league and passing the 11th most times. They are so well balanced and use their passing game as a “run game,” that AB’s ability to create separation and gain yards after the catch would make it nearly impossible to stop. It almost feels inevitable that this happens. It’s not being talked about, but it somehow feels like the Patriots pull off these deals out of nowhere.
Seattle Seahawks
Antonio Brown would provide the Seattle Seahawks with another deep threat opposite Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett, but could also provide help in the screen pass game the Seahawks use. Brown is great at gaining YAC (yards after catch). He also understands how to find the soft spot in zones when plays break down, and there are few quarterbacks better at finding the open receiver in that situation than Russell Wilson. According to Next Gen Stats, Wilson’s average completed air yards (the vertical yards on a pass attempt at the moment the ball is caught in relation to the line of scrimmage) was 7.3 yards, which was 3rd longest in the league. He is one of the most accurate deep ball throwers in the league. The caveat to this scenario is the style of play the Seahawks use. Unlike some of these other teams on this list, Seattle has gone back to a run first team. They were 2nd only to Baltimore in rushing attempts and last in the league in pass attempts in 2018. With Baldwin, Lockett, and now Nick Vannett (their tight end), Brown’s touches won’t be anywhere near what they are in Pittsburgh. Wilson spreads the ball fairly evenly to his targets, and that would be one more “mouth to feed” on already limited throws. If they used the pass the complement the run game and Antonio accepted that, this could be a great landing spot.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns could (and maybe should) be willing to go all in for this one. While it’s unlikely the Steelers want to deal Brown to a divisional rival, and one on their way to actually contending, Cleveland might be able to offer enough capital via the draft that they can’t refuse. The Steelers may want a first round pick or more, but the Browns have 10 picks in this draft. Antonio Brown would join a Cleveland team that has a young, explosive quarterback, a consistent running attack with Nick Chubb that would prevent defenses from locking in on the passing game, and a receiving core with Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, and Antonio Callaway, and a defense that is 5th in interceptions and tied for 6th in forced fumbles (according to NFL.com). Brown would make Cleveland a threat to not only win the division, but make a run in the playoffs (not winning the Super Bowl this year, calm down).
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have traded away all their stars in return for picks. Their defense needs help, and this draft is full of defensive stars. I don’t believe the Raiders should trade any of their first round picks. They should use them on all three levels of their defense. Trading for Brown would be a much-needed target for a struggling offense. They are in the middle of the league in pass attempts, but despite losing Amari Cooper and not having any other number one targets, Carr completed 68.7% of his passes (5th in the league). AB would give the Raiders a legitimate number one receiver prior to making the move to Las Vegas. It could turn out to be a disaster if things don’t go well, but the upside is putting a top receiver with one of the more accurate quarterbacks in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins
Miami needs a new face of the franchise. Brian Flores, the new Dolphins head coach, will need to make a splash in his first year. The Dolphins have the 13th pick in this year’s draft, and they need to go all in on Kyler Murray. Ryan Tannehill has never been the answer, and having a rookie quarterback would also give Flores extra time to develop as a coach. Antonio Brown would be a big name to help make them relevant. His personality would be perfect for South Beach. This option isn’t so much a schematic fit for Brown as it is just something I would like to see. Miami needs an identity, and those two would give them just that.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers most likely don’t have the assets to make a deal with the Steelers, but the 49ers would love to land Brown. They may be one of the more aggressive teams in the effort to land the star wide out. If Garoppolo can come back healthy and play up to his potential, this could be a good situation for both sides. The 49ers were near the bottom in pass attempts last season, but that is expected when your starting quarterback is out for the season. Their running game is not too convincing, being in the top 3rd in rush attempts and 13th in total yards. A team rushing that much should have better results. There are a lot of unknowns in this scenario, but with Kyle Shanahan and a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo, Brown could be a difference maker on a team that needs the help.
Detroit Lions
I think this is a sneaky good fit for both sides. Detroit is in the top third in the league in total passes (11th) with Matthew Stafford at the helm. The Lions traded away Golden Tate mid-season, and only had Kenny Galladay as a main target, who emerged last year as a reliable target for Stafford. He has always been willing (and had the ability) to throw the deep ball, but was near the bottom of the league with passes 20+ and 40+ yards down the field last season. Antonio Brown would increase that number by spreading the field with Galladay on the opposite side. The Lions run game has struggled in recent years, making them fairly one dimensional; however, in 2018, the run game was at least threatening. They were 15th in rushing attempts, which would provide more play action options. Overall, at their heart, the Lions are a passing team with few weapons to target.
What do you think? Do these teams make sense? Is there another team you think Brown could end up? Or a team you would like to see him play on?
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