A.J. Brown

Despite missing Weeks 2 and 3 last year with knee injuries the Titans’ medical staff had initially deemed season-ending, Brown managed a second straight 1,000-yard campaign. And while he regressed from his other-worldly and unsustainable 12.4 YPT as a rookie, Brown still netted 10.1 yards per look (4th). At 6-0, 226, Brown is built more like a workhorse running back than an outside receiver. As such, he’s a load to bring down, and his 4.49 speed seems to understate his ability to take short passes to the house. Despite seeing only 12 red-zone targets (T-34th), Brown scored 11 touchdowns (5th) last year. He had surgery on both knees after the year, underscoring the severity of the injuries through which he played. Still only 24, presumably healthy in time for training camp and now in Year 3, Brown is poised for another big season — this time with Julio Jones replacing Corey Davis as his running mate in Tennessee. Jones should see more targets than Davis, at least on a per-game basis, but the 32-year-old also attracts more defensive attention, and his presence could inspire new OC Todd Downing to throw more passes than predecessor Arthur Smith. Regardless of what happens with the new guy, Brown should take the lead.

As a 22-year-old rookie, Brown was the best per-play wide receiver in the NFL last year. Despite seeing only 84 targets from the combination of Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill, Brown led all rookie receivers in yards and tied Darius Slayton with eight TDs. Brown's 12.5 YPT was first among the league's 52 80-target wideouts, and his eight catches of 40 yards also tied for first. And that doesn't include a 49-yard rushing TD, the icing on the cake. At 6-0, 226, Brown is a physical mismatch for most defensive backs. He's wide, strong and explosive, and his 4.49 speed makes him dangerous after the catch once the initial defender fails to bring him down. Brown also showed excellent hands with only two drops all year. While he has ideal red-zone size, he was rarely used there - only eight targets - yet he scored nine times. The biggest issue for Brown is opportunity. Coach Mike Vrabel and OC Arthur Smith ran an offense that finished last season with the second fewest pass attempts (448). That probably caps Brown's ceiling, as it's hard to see him among the league leaders in targets, especially with 2017 fifth overall pick Corey Davis, slot man Adam Humphries and emerging TE Jonnu Smith in the fold. But the team re-upped Tannehill, the QB with whom Brown had the most success, and if anything happens to Derrick Henry, whom the team franchise-tagged in March, the sky's the limit for Brown.

Taken with the 51st overall pick in this year's draft, Brown is a good prospect in a crowded situation. Not only did the Titans sign Adam Humphries to a big deal this offseason, but they already had 2017 No. 5 overall pick Corey Davis and also get tight end Delanie Walker back from injury. That said, at 6-1, 230, Brown is a powerhouse who runs exceptionally well (4.49 40) for his size. He presents matchup problems for smaller corners, is incredibly tough to bring down after the catch and has a 36.5-inch vertical leap. The question for Brown is mostly about role - not only is there competition for targets, but Marcus Mariota's star has faded the last two seasons, and Tennessee attempted 437 passes last year (31st) in an offense that eventually was built around running back Derrick Henry.