Arthur Juan Brown[1] (born June 30, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.

A. J. Brown
refer to caption
Brown with the Titans in 2021
No. 11 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1997-06-30) June 30, 1997 (age 27)
Starkville, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Starkville
College:Ole Miss (2016–2018)
NFL draft:2019 / round: 2 / pick: 51
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Receptions:412
Receiving yards:6,565
Receiving touchdowns:45
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Brown was born Arthur Juan Brown on June 30, 1997. His mother claims the middle name on his birth certificate of "Juan" was spelled incorrectly, and that his middle name is actually Jauan.[1]

He attended Starkville High School in Starkville, Mississippi, where he played football and baseball.[2] As a senior at Starkville High, he recorded 83 receptions for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns and led his team to a 6A state championship. Brown was named first-team All-State by USA Today, The Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen, and the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

As a top recruit in both football and baseball, Brown became the second player after Kyler Murray, to play in both the Under Armour All-America Football Game and the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game.[3] In the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game, he had four receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Brown was a consensus 4-star prospect by the major recruiting services. He was ranked the No. 45 overall recruit by Scout, No. 47 by 247Sports, No. 53 by Rivals and No. 66 by ESPN. He was also listed as the No. 5 wide receiver prospect in the country by 247Sports and Scout and was ranked the second-best player in the state by 247Sports and third-best by Scout. On February 3, 2016, Brown committed to play both college baseball and college football at the University of Mississippi.[4][5]

College career

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Brown was drafted as an outfielder by the San Diego Padres in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Padres, which prevented him from playing baseball at Ole Miss, but Brown was still eligible to play football.[6] At Ole Miss, he majored in General Studies with an emphasis in Education, Journalism and Legal Studies.[7]

2016 season

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In Brown's first game of his collegiate career, he started and recorded two receptions for 48 yards against Wofford.[8] As a true freshman at Ole Miss in 2016, Brown played in all 12 games and finished fifth on the team with 29 receptions for 412 yards and two touchdowns.[9] He finished fourth among SEC freshmen with 2.4 catches per game and fifth with 34.3 receiving yards per game.

2017 season

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During the first game of his sophomore season in 2017, Brown hauled in eight catches, two of which were touchdowns of 71 and 77 yards. He tied the school record with 14 receptions against Louisiana along with 185 yards and two touchdowns while setting the school record for receiving yards in a game with 233 against South Alabama (later broken by Elijah Moore).[10]

Brown finished the season with 75 receptions for a school record 1,252 yards and a school-record-tying 11 touchdowns (shared with Laquon Treadwell) in 12 games, leading the team and the SEC. He was awarded the Conerly Trophy, given to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi.[11][12]

2018 season

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Brown's 2018 junior season was shared with future NFL Pro Bowler DK Metcalf and was highlighted by nine receptions for 212 yards (at the time, second in school history only to his own record the previous year) and a touchdown against Vanderbilt. Brown again led the team and the SEC in receiving, finishing with a school-record 85 receptions (later passed by Moore) and 1,320 yards (still the record) and six touchdowns.[13] He again had six 100-yard receiving games, tying his own record (shared with Treadwell and later Moore). He was named first-team All-SEC for the second consecutive year.[14]

Following the 2018 season, Brown announced he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft.[15] As of 2022, Brown was the Ole Miss' all-time leader in receiving yards and 100-yard games (12).[16]

College statistics

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Season Team GP Receiving
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD R/G Y/G
2016 Ole Miss 12 29 412 14.2 37 2 2.4 34.3
2017 Ole Miss 12 75 1,252 16.7 77 11 6.3 104.3
2018 Ole Miss 12 85 1,320 15.5 84 6 7.1 110.0
Career 36 189 2,984 15.8 84 19 5.3 82.9

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 0+12 in
(1.84 m)
226 lb
(103 kg)
32+78 in
(0.84 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.49 s 1.56 s 2.65 s 4.25 s 7.00 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
19 reps 18
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[17][18]
Brown in 2019

Tennessee Titans

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2019 season

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Brown was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round (51st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[19] He was the fourth of 29 receivers taken in the draft, just 13 picks ahead of teammate DK Metcalf.[20] On June 12, 2019, Brown signed a four-year deal worth $5,641,199 with a signing bonus of $2,122,690 and a 2019 cap hit of $1,025,670.[21]

Brown made his NFL debut in the Titans' season-opening 43–13 road victory over the Cleveland Browns. In the game, he caught three passes for 100 yards.[22] During Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, he caught his first two NFL touchdowns from Marcus Mariota in the 24–10 road victory. Brown finished the game with three receptions for 94 yards and the two aforementioned touchdowns.[23] During a Week 8 27–23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught an eight-yard touchdown.[24]

During a Week 12 42–20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brown had four receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown as the Titans won.[25] In the next game against the Indianapolis Colts, he recorded three receptions for 45 yards in the 31–17 road victory.[26] The following week against the Oakland Raiders, Brown caught five passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, including a 91-yard touchdown, during the 42–21 road victory.[27] During a Week 15 24–21 loss to the Houston Texans, he had eight receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.[28] In the next game against the New Orleans Saints, Brown rushed for a 49-yard touchdown and caught a 34-yard reception during the 38–28 loss.[29] In the regular-season finale against the Texans, Brown recorded four receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown during the 35–14 road victory to help the Titans clinch a playoff berth.[30]

Brown finished his rookie year with 52 receptions for 1,051 receiving yards (leading all NFL rookies) and eight receiving touchdowns,[31] causing some to regard him as "the steal of the 2019 draft".[32] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[33] In three postseason games, Brown totaled five receptions for 64 yards as the Titans' season ended with a 35–24 road loss in the AFC Championship to the Kansas City Chiefs.[34]

2020 season

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Brown playing against the Cleveland Browns in 2020
 
Brown in 2021

During a Tuesday night game in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills, Brown recorded seven receptions for 82 yards and his first touchdown of the season during the 42–16 victory.[35] In the next game against the Texans, Brown had five receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns in the 42–36 overtime victory.[36] The following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he caught six passes for 153 yards and a 74-yard touchdown as the Titans lost 24–27.[37] During a Week 9 24–17 victory over the Chicago Bears, Brown had four receptions for 101 yards and a 40-yard touchdown.[38] Three weeks later against the Colts, Brown recorded four catches for 98 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown reception, and returned an onside kick for a touchdown during the 45–26 road victory.[39] During a Week 14 31–10 road victory over the Jaguars, Brown caught seven passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.[40] In the regular-season finale against the Texans, Brown had 10 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown during the 41–38 road victory.[41]

Brown finished his second professional season with 70 receptions for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns.[42] In the Wild Card Round against the Baltimore Ravens, Brown recorded six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown as the Titans lost 20–13.[43] Brown had suffered injuries to both of his knees early in the season, causing him to miss two games. He underwent successful surgery to both of his knees January 19, 2021.[44] He was ranked 62nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.[45]

2021 season

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Brown entered the 2021 season as a starting wide receiver alongside Julio Jones. During a Week 8 34–31 road victory over the Colts, he recorded 10 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown.[46] Brown suffered a chest injury in Week 11 and was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2021.[47] He was activated on December 23.[48] In his first game back from injury, Brown had 11 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown during a 20–17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.[49]

Brown finished the 2021 season with 63 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games.[50] During the Divisional Round against the Cincinnati Bengals, Brown had five receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown in the 19–16 loss.[51]

Philadelphia Eagles

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2022 season

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Brown (left) in 2022

On April 28, 2022, during the 2022 NFL draft, Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, which the Titans used to select wide receiver Treylon Burks from Arkansas, a player widely compared to Brown. Tennessee also received a third-round pick. Brown signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Eagles after the trade, with $57 million guaranteed.[52][53][54] The trade was opposed by Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, which contributed to a decrease of 60 receptions and 860 yards among Titans wide receivers through 13 weeks, and was one reason for the Titans decision to fire general manager Jon Robinson at that point in the season.[55]

Brown set the franchise record for most receiving yards in a player’s debut in the season-opening 38–35 road victory over the Detroit Lions, finishing with 10 receptions for 155 yards.[56] During a Week 8 35–13 victory over the Steelers in Week 8, Brown recorded six receptions for 156 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.[57] During a Week 13 35–10 victory over his former team, the Titans, Brown had eight receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns.[58] Two weeks later against the Bears, he had nine receptions for 181 yards in the 25–20 road victory.[59]

Brown finished the 2022 season with 88 receptions for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns.[60] He set a single-season franchise record for receiving yards.[61] He was ranked 22nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[62] During Super Bowl LVII against the Chiefs, Brown had six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown in the 38–35 loss.[63]

2023 season

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On October 29, 2023, Brown recorded his sixth consecutive game with at least 125 receiving yards, which broke the standing NFL record of five straight games. The standing record was held by Calvin Johnson (2012) and Pat Studstill (1966). Brown's historic streak occurred between Week 3 and Week 8; he amassed 831 receiving yards over this span.[64] This included a Week 3 performance against the Washington Commanders in which Brown finished with 175 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-31 overtime victory.[65] Brown was additionally named NFC Offensive Player of the Month of October for his record-breaking performance.[66] In the 2023 season, Brown finished with 106 receptions for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns.[67] He was ranked 21st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.[68]

Due to a sprained knee sustained in the season finale against the Giants, Brown missed the playoffs.[69]

2024 season

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On April 25, 2024, Brown signed a three-year, $96 million contract extension, keeping him with the Eagles through the 2029 season.[70]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2019 TEN 16 11 52 1,051 20.2 91 8 3 60 20.0 49 1 1 0
2020 TEN 14 12 70 1,075 15.4 73 11 2 1
2021 TEN 13 13 63 869 13.8 57 5 2 10 5.0 7 0 0 0
2022 PHI 16 16 88 1,496 17.0 78 11 2 2
2023 PHI 17 17 106 1,456 13.7 59 7 2 2
2024 PHI 1 1 5 119 23.8 67 1 0 0
Career 78 70 384 6,066 15.8 91 43 5 70 14.0 49 1 7 5

Postseason

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Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2019 TEN 3 3 5 64 12.8 37 0 1 9 9.0 9 0 0 0
2020 TEN 1 1 6 83 13.8 28 1 0 0
2021 TEN 1 1 5 142 28.4 41 1 0 0
2022 PHI 3 3 13 146 11.2 45 1 0 0
2023 PHI 0 0 Did not play due to injury
Career 8 8 29 435 15.0 45 3 1 9 9.0 9 0 0 0

Personal life

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Brown is a Christian.[64]

In 2022, Brown provided vocals on the Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas.[71]

References

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  1. ^ a b McLane, Jeff (September 5, 2023). "Before the Eagles' A.J. Brown went 'ba-boom' in the NFL, his light flickered in Starkville". Inquirer.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Prewitt, Alex (February 9, 2023). "Before He Was a Professional Wide Receiver, A.J. Brown Was Making Money Playing Baseball". Sports Illustrated.
  3. ^ "Two-sport Under-Armour All-American A.J. Brown draws parallel between football, baseball". USA Today. October 22, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Bonner, Michael (February 3, 2016). "A.J. Brown picks Ole Miss over Mississippi State". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  5. ^ "Four-star WR A.J. Brown commits to Ole Miss". SI.com. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  6. ^ Potter, Davis (July 18, 2016). "Ole Miss signee A.J. Brown inks with San Diego Padres, will still play football". Oxford Eagle. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "A.J. Brown bio". Ole Miss Sports. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  8. ^ "Wofford at Ole Miss Box Score, September 10, 2016". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  9. ^ "A.J. Brown 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  10. ^ Necalse, Colton (September 8, 2017). "Breaking school records only the start for receiver A.J. Brown". The Daily Mississippian. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "Ole Miss' Brown wins Conerly Trophy". The Commercial Dispatch. Associated Press. November 29, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  12. ^ Cleveland, Tyler (November 28, 2017). "Ole Miss receiver A.J. Brown wins 2017 C Spire Conerly Trophy". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "2018 Ole Miss Rebels Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  14. ^ "2018 All-SEC Football Team announced". SECSports.com. Southeastern Conference. December 4, 2018. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019.
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  16. ^ 2022 Ole Miss Football Media Guide (PDF). 2022. p. 139.
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  48. ^ Wyatt, Jim (December 23, 2021). "Titans Activate WR A.J. Brown, DB Chris Jackson From Injured Reserve". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
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  52. ^ Patra, Kevin (April 28, 2022). "Eagles receive A.J. Brown in trade; Titans select Arkansas WR Treylon Burks with No. 18 pick in 2022 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  53. ^ Benjamin, Cody (April 28, 2022). "A.J. Brown traded to Eagles: Titans make stunning decision in moving star receiver during 2022 NFL Draft". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
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  55. ^ Moraitis, Mike (December 7, 2022). "Report: Mike Vrabel disagreed with A.J. Brown trade, at least 2 other key moves". Titans Wire. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  56. ^ Kerr, Jeff (September 11, 2022). "Eagles vs. Lions score, takeaways: A.J. Brown has monster debut as Philadelphia survives Detroit in Week 1". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
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  63. ^ "Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  64. ^ a b Mercer, Kevin (January 20, 2022). "WR A.J. Brown grateful to God as No. 1-seeded Titans prepare for playoffs". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  65. ^ "Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles - October 1st, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  66. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 2, 2023). "Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill, Eagles WR A.J. Brown highlight October Players of the Month". NFL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  67. ^ "A.J. Brown 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  68. ^ "2024 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  69. ^ Grotz, Bob (January 13, 2024). "A.J. Brown out for Eagles playoff game, but Nick Sirianni has no regrets". Delco Times. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  70. ^ Shook, Nick (April 25, 2024). "Eagles WR A.J. Brown agrees to terms on three-year, $96 million extension". NFL.com.
  71. ^ "A Philly Special Christmas releases "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"". New Jersey Stage. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
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