Week 16 vs. Green Bay
John Brown led the team with nine targets last week and had a touchdown, but he only caught three balls for 38 yards. Brown has been up and down at times, but has been heavily targeted all year and now has touchdowns in three of his last five games, benefitting from extra coverage going toward Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.
This week, Brown should be targeted early and often again, and his speed makes him a threat every week to score. He has a lower floor than Fitzgerald, and a lower ceiling than Michael Floyd, but should be considered a WR2 option in most leagues anyway due to his game breaking ability and his activity in Arizona’s prolific passing offense.
Week 15 at Philadelphia
John Brown had a nice game last week against the Vikings, contributing four receptions, 78 yards, and a touchdown to the Arizona victory. Fantasy owners have been pleased to see him coexisting with fellow wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, and the cohesiveness should continue for as long as Carson Palmer is slinging it.
This week, Brown should be active as a solid WR2 in most leagues, as he faces one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Only the Saints have allowed more passing touchdowns this year than the Eagles, and Philadelphia ranks 24th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Brown should find success this week and is a nice fantasy option in all leagues.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota
John Brown had six catches for 113 yards last week against the Rams. He was targeted eight times and led the team in receiving yardage, despite the return of a healthy Michael Floyd to the Arizona receiving corps. Fantasy owners were glad to see the talented second-year receiver continue to produce, despite the Cardinals having their full arsenal of receiving weapons.
This week, Brown will contend for catches and targets with Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald, as usual, but he faces a banged up Minnesota defense that has been solid all season but got torched by the Seahawks last week. There’s an element of risk to Brown on Thursday night, due to the competition in the receiving corps, but the Cardinals offense has been so prolific that he should still be good for solid WR2/WR3 numbers.
Week 13 at St. Louis
John Brown led the team with 99 yards last week against the 49ers as the Cardinals advanced to a 9-2 record on the season. Brown was targeted seven times, catching five passes, and looked healthier than he has in weeks. His big play ability and crisp route running has helped him to emerge in his second season.
This week, Brown will go up against a Rams pass defense that has only allowed 12 passing touchdowns this year. He’s still a decent fantasy option since the Cardinal offense has been so stellar this year, but fantasy owners should temper expectations in a tough matchup. We have Brown ranked inside our top 30 this week, and he should be considered a low end WR2 in most leagues.
Week 12 at San Francisco
John Brown came back from injury last week and took advantage of the absence of Michael Floyd from the lineup, catching three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals were a tough matchup, but the Cardinals passing game thrived anyway, and Brown benefitted.
This week should be a little easier for Brown. Floyd still appears to be banged up, and the 49ers rank 27th in the league in passing yards allowed this season. They’ve also given up 17 touchdown passes, and Brown should be in for a nice game. We have him as a low-end WR2 in most leagues this week.
Week 11 vs. Cincinnati
John Brown has been banged up the last few weeks, but is set to return against the Bengals, who have been stingy on defense this season. Brown will be challenged for looks in the passing game by Michael Floyd, who has looked much more like the first round pick the Cardinals were expecting while Brown has been sidelined.
Fantasy owners should monitor Brown’s health status as it gets closer to game time, but for the most part, he should be considered a risky WR3 this week with a tough matchup, coming off an injury, and part of a crowded receiving corps.
Week 10 at Seattle
John Brown was banged up against the Browns two weeks ago, but looks to be healthy now after the bye last week. Brown has been a solid player for the Cardinals all year, but may have to fight a little to get back into the mix as Michael Floyd has played well in his absence.
This week probably isn’t the best week to count on Brown. He faces a Seattle defense that is eighth in the league in passing yards allowed this year and second in touchdown receptions given up. Brown should be considered a low-end WR3 option with a tough matchup and Michael Floyd threatening to take away targets and snaps.
Week 7 at Cleveland
John Brown was questionable heading into Monday night with a hamstring issue, but ended up starting anyway and had four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Brown has a nice combination of speed and route running ability that has made him a solid WR2 option in Arizona behind Larry Fitzgerald and he’s a big reason for Carson Palmer’s success this season.
This week, Brown should benefit from a matchup against the Browns. While the Rams did little more than run the ball against Cleveland last week, the Browns rank in the bottom half of the league in passing yards allowed this season, and have given up 11 touchdown passes to opposing offenses. Brown should be a solid WR2 option this week, assuming his hamstring issues don’t flare up and cause him to miss time. Early indications are that he may be held out. Be sure to check the inactives list and be ready with a replacement just in case.
Week 7 vs. Baltimore
John Brown had a huge game against the Steelers last week, catching 10 of the 14 balls thrown his way for 196 yards. While he failed to find the end zone in a losing effort, the Cardinals are using Brown consistently and he’s proving to benefit from the attention given to Larry Fitzgerald on the other side.
This week, Brown should be a great option against a Baltimore pass defense that has been terrible against the pass this season and seems to be getting worse each week. The Ravens are giving up 286 yards per game to opposing passers and have allowed 11 touchdown passes on the season. We have Brown as a borderline top-10 option this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 6 at Pittsburgh
John Brown caught just four passes last week, but he made them count, as he finished with 73 yards and a touchdown in a blowout win over the Detroit Lions. Brown is an explosive player who runs nice routes and has fairly consistent hands, which has helped him cement a role in the Cardinals offense this season.
This week, he’ll face a Pittsburgh pass defense that is allowing 257 yards per game through the air this season and has given up nine touchdown passes to opposing teams. The Steelers do provide consistent pressure on the quarterback, but rank in the bottom-half of the league in every other pass defense category. Brown should continue to be a borderline flex/WR2 option in most leagues, and we have him inside our top 25 this week with a nice matchup.
