Don’t Sleep on Lions Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for Offensive Rookie of the Year
By Ben Heisler
The future looks bright for Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Since rookie mini-camp, the reviews of the fourth-round rookie receiver out of USC have been raving. A First-team All-Pac-12 selection in his third year with the Trojans, St. Brown left Southern California with 178 receptions for 2,270 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been effusive in his praise for his new receiver who's expected to start the season as the team's slot receiver inside.
#Lions coach Dan Campbell on WR Amon-Ra St. Brown during rookie minicamp: “He has not disappointed. That’s probably the best way to put it.”
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) May 16, 2021
Campbell says he’s been as good “as advertised.”
With the Lions making news today that they've released free agent signing Breshad Perriman, that leaves St. Brown as the likely No. 2 wide receiver option behind free agent veteran Tyrell Williams. Perriman saw 60 targets last year with the Jets, catching 30 passes for 505 yards and three touchdowns. Many of those vacated targets could now end up coming St. Brown's way.
First of many cuts this week is a notable one: Lions have released WR Breshad Perriman, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2021
WynnBET Sportsbook still has St. Brown listed all the way back at +5000 odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Right now, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the favorite to win at +275 odds, followed by Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields at +525. Two more quarterbacks follow them in Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers and Zach Wilson of the New York Jets at +600 odds, as well as Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is NFL Ready on a Team That Needs Him
Will Amon-Ra St. Brown live up to high expectations? https://t.co/sepyprQuV5
— SideLion Report (@SideLionReport) May 25, 2021
St. Brown appears to be a draft day steal on Day 3 for the Lions as they look to rebuild their roster following the trade of Matthew Stafford to the Rams in exchange for Goff and several draft picks. Via Side Lion Report, St. Brown has been labeled by NFL trainers as "NFL ready" when it comes to his work ethic and athleticism, and has even been comped to Goff's former teammates and favorite receivers in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.
Most completions to slot receivers last season
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 6, 2020
1. Kyler Murray - 149
2. Carson Wentz - 143
3. Tom Brady - 142
4. Jared Goff - 140 pic.twitter.com/PFZF5B958W
Kupp led the Rams in 2020 with 92 receptions on 124 targets, racking up 974 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Woods was equally as effective, catching 90 passes on 129 targets for 936 yards and six scores.
With the Lions projected for only 5.5 wins all season, Detroit will likely be playing from behind in many fourth quarters this season, giving ample chances for players like St. Brown to make a statement.
First thing I think of every time someone mentions Amon-ra St. Brown... pic.twitter.com/Gxull20Yh2
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) August 19, 2021
Granted, only two wide receivers since 2009 have ever taken home NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors (Percy Harvin, Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014), but at +5000 odds, there's clear value in St. Brown to take advantage of the opportunity presented.
Buying in on Amon-Ra St. Brown as a dark horse Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate?
Grab him at 50/1 before the numbers moves up at WynnBET Sportsbook!