Wide receiver John Brown could be a difference maker for the Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are expecting big things out of second-year wideout John Brown. Brown had a fantastic rookie year, seamlessly coming out of nowhere as a third-round pick out of Pittsburg State.
It is not just the Cardinals and their fans who are expecting Brown to be a difference maker in the Cardinals offense. NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling ranked Brown sixth in his list of players he believes will "make the leap" this season and start to become a household name around the NFL.
It's rare to come across an offseason hype bunny who meets expectations as a rookie. It's even more rare to find an NFL draft sleeper in the height of the Twitter era. A hidden gem from small-school Pittsburg State, the third-round pick immediately impressed the Cardinals with his high-end speed, uncanny instincts and unexpected understanding of route concepts.
Before the end of his first training camp, Brown was already drawing comparisons to potential Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Colts star T.Y. Hilton and 2003 rookie sensation Anquan Boldin.
Once the season began, coach Bruce Arians featured Brown on the routes run by Hilton, Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace in his old Colts and Steelers offenses, aligning him all over the formation. At 5-foot-11 with 4.34 wheels, his deep speed and uncommon stop-start quickness hardly came as a surprise. What stood out on Game Rewind was Brown's impressive leaping ability, great ball skills, sideline artistry and sure hands.
Wesseling did mention one thing that could make Brown an even more dangerous receiver, if he could improve on his strength this offseason.
Already a dangerous deep threat and underrated possession receiver, Brown still has one area in need of improvement. Although much of his late-season disappearance can be attributed to Lindley's faceplant, Arians noted that the 179-pound Brown must get stronger to withstand press coverage and the rigors of a long season.
Wesseling even went on to say that Brown has the potential to overtake Floyd as a receiver. If that were the case and Palmer manages to stay healthy, the Cardinals could have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.
Arizona's offense has a chance to emerge as one of the league's best in 2015. Arians is a mastermind, the offensive line has graduated from an area of weakness to one of strength, Palmer has surpassed expectations in his return from ACL surgery, and the wide receiver trio of Brown, Fitzgerald and Floyd is versatile and productive.
Brown is a more uniquely talented receiver than Floyd. It wouldn't surprise us if the former is thrust into a more prominent role at the expense of the latter, with the Cardinals ultimately allowing Floyd to walk as a free agent.
(h/t Arizona Sports)