Grading the Antonio Brown trade for Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders Grade
On the most basic level, trading for Antonio Brown is an exceedingly positive thing for the Oakland Raiders entering the 2019 NFL season. After trading away Amari Cooper midseason last year, Derek Carr and the Raiders offense were left in a tough spot in terms of the pass-catchers available. With aging Jordy Nelson as perhaps Carr’s top wide receiver target, he heavily favored throwing tight end Jared Cook’s way down the stretch.
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Adding Brown changes that dynamic in an instant. For all of the drama that has surrounded the now-former Steelers wide receiver, the Central Michigan product has been unbelievably reliable when he’s been on the field.
Over the past six seasons, Brown has played in all but four games for Pittsburgh and has been just a monster on the field. On average over those six seasons, Brown has put up 114.3 receptions for 1,524.2 yards and 11.2 touchdowns per year. It’s no wonder that he has remained in the conversation for being the best wide receiver in the NFL with consistency and production at that level.
Having said all of that, it’s still tough to look at the Raiders and not question what they’re doing. While Brown is a better player than Cooper, they had a substantially younger and immensely talented potential No. 1 receiver previously and traded him. Moreover, they were unwilling to pay Khalil Mack market-setting money, which led to his trade, but are now willing to set the market with Brown at wide receiver.
There’s no doubt that Brown is going to make Carr and the Oakland offense better moving forward. It would be impossible for that not to happen. By the same token, though, it’s also difficult to not question what in the name of heaven the Raiders’ long-term plan or modus operandi is at this point as this trade only adds more questions.
Final Grade: B