Antonio Brown Week 9 vs. Ravens
The sun rises and Antonio Brown continues to produce at a prolific rate. He had 10 catches for 133 yards and two scores last week and now faces a Baltimore defense that will be without Jimmy Smith. Smith shadowed Brown in the first meeting between the two teams and Brown still managed 90 total yards. He's on a roll right now and is a solid producer in all formats.
Antonio Brown Week 8 vs. Colts
Another ho-hum game for Antonio Brown last week as he caught nine passes for 90 yards - and had a touchdown overturned on review - while also throwing for a score. You can't bench Brown even though the Colts have allowed just four touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this season. Three of those scores have come in their three road games - including two at Jacksonville - so Brown should be OK.
Antonio Brown Week 7 vs. Texans
After catching seven passes for 118 yards last week, Antonio Brown has now been over 84 yards receiving in every game this season. He faces a Houston defense that had all kind of issues against T.Y. Hilton last week - a player similar to Brown. Houston has also given up seven scores to opposing wideouts this season. Brown is a strong start again this week.
Antonio Brown Week 6 vs. Browns
Antonio Brown had another five catches last week for 84 yards, which is interesting, since he's averaged 87 yards in his last six games against the Browns, despite drawing Joe Haden in coverage all over the field in most of those contests. Haden might be out this week, which means Brown could repeat his performance from Week 1, a five-catch, 116-yard effort with a touchdown.
Antonio Brown Week 5 vs. Jaguars
Antonio Brown might be the most consistent performer among receivers in fantasy football. He's caught five TD passes, including two last week, and had seven catches for 131 yards. Brown ran his streak of at least five catches and 50 yards to an NFL record 20 games last week and has been above 90 yards in every game this season. Jacksonville has allowed 11 passing TDs this season. Brown is a very strong start this week.
Antonio Brown Week 4 vs. Bucs
Coming off a 10-catch, 90-yard game with two touchdowns, Brown matched the NFL record for consecutive games with at least five catches and 50 yards in 19 consecutive games. This season, he's taken that a step further. He's had at least five catches and 90 yards in every game while also scoring three touchdowns. Tampa Bay's pass defense has been pretty bad this season. Brown is a WR1 start every week.
Antonio Brown Week 3 vs. Panthers
Antonio Brown shook off a big hit to the head early in the game against the Ravens to catch seven passes for 90 yards, putting him one game short of tying the NFL record for consecutive games with at least five receptions and 50 yards receiving. The Panthers are allowing just 9.7 yards per catch, but they have allowed three TD passes this season. Brown is going to get his chances. He's a must-start in all formats this week.
Antonio Brown Week 2 vs. Ravens
Brown had a strong start to 2014, catching five passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. But none of those receptions came in the second half as the Browns rolled their coverages to him, something he can certainly expect to happen more. And in both games against Baltimore last season, Brown struggled to keep his streak of 5-catches and at least 50 yards intact. In fact, he his two worst statistic games against the Ravens in 2013, going 6-50 and 5-59. He should do better than that this time around, but keep your expectations tempered.
Antonio Brown Week 1 vs Browns
Joe Haden might be one of the league's best corners, but Antonio Brown owned him in 2013, catching 15 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in their two meetings with Haden following him all over the field. There's nothing more that need to be said than that. You drafted Brown to be one of your top receivers. Play him.
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.
