Rookie Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown's recent play has him in rare air
It felt on Draft Day like the Detroit Lions got a steal getting Amon-Ra St. Brown at 112th overall in this past NFL Draft.
The former USC product put up 2,270 yards and 16 touchdowns in three seasons with the Trojans. And Detroit got him in the fourth round. St. Brown’s measurables didn’t jump off the page, and at just 5-foot-11, there were teams that talked themselves out of taking him.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote this in his combine scouting report:
“Has been both an inside and outside receiver over the last two seasons, but might lack the speed and strength to make a living outside at the pro level. Despite average foot quickness, St. Brown will vary his press release and displays polish as a route-runner from the slot. He’s unlikely to gain consistent vertical separation but has above-average tracking talent and body control to improve his chances for success. His focus drops underneath are a concern and his run blocking can be woeful at times. There is nothing dazzling about his athletic profile or overall game, but he’s a solid football player with a chance to become a starting slot in the future.”
Fast-forward to December, and St. Brown is doing things few rookies have in the history of the NFL. With a nine-catch, 91-yard game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, St. Brown hauled in at least eight catches for the fourth straight game. Odell Beckham Jr. is the only other rookie to have matched that streak in NFL history.
🚨 FUN FACT: @amonra_stbrown joins @obj as the only rookie in @NFL history with 8+ catches in 4 straight games.#TrojanMade⚔️ pic.twitter.com/PaelylHNx3
— USC Football (@USC_FB) December 27, 2021
St. Brown currently ranks fifth among rookies with 692 yards. Funny enough, he’s only 20 yards shy of Beckham on the NFL’s receiving leaderboard.
The California native has drawn five straight starts after spotty usage earlier in the season, and in that stretch he has 50 targets, 39 receptions, and 363 yards.