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Can John Brown get back to his 2015 performance?

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) scores a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

  • Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer recently said WR John Brown looks “stronger” and “more explosive” than he did in 2016.
  • Brown was hampered by injuries in 2016, and it reflected in his PFF production grade. His grade dropped from 81.0 in 2015 to 75.3 in 2016, which ranked 44th among qualifying receivers.
  • QBs had far less success targeting him last season — his 68.8 WR rating (passer rating when targeted) was a dramatic drop from his previous seasons 105.7 WR rating.
  • Known for his ability to get vertical, Brown saw far fewer deep passes (passes over 20 yards) in 2016. In 2015, 27.3 percent of his targets where on deep passes, and he caught 8 of them for 370 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2016, he only saw 21.2 percent of his targets on deep passes and his production dropped dramatically, catching 4 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
  • Brown’s 6.5 yards per target on deep passes in 2016 was the seventh-fewest among 78 qualifying receivers.
  • Brown finished 2016 averaging 1.31 yards per route run, 68th among 96 qualified receivers. This was a drastic dropoff from 2015, when he averaged 2.00 yards per route run, 24th among 85 qualified receivers.

John Brown

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