While Antonio Brown may be more famous for what goes on off the football field these days, there was a time not so long ago when he was the best WR in the league.
Dominating the game for a six-year stretch that could potentially send him to Canton if he cleans up his persona, Brown was one of the hardest covers in league history.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler knows that, and still he compared Georgia WR, and 2024 NFL Draft prospect Ladd McConkey to him:
McConkey Receives High Praise
This is going to be unfair, but I’m going to say his ceiling is like an Antonio Brown,” Brugler told the Cover 1 Podcast. “The inside-outside versatility, the ability to catch and run. Again, we’re talking ceiling. We’re talking everything goes right, he stays healthy, he hits. Evertying goes right, that’s the type of player we’re talking about. I understand that’s lofty, but that’s ceiling. The chances of hitting that ceiling? Probably not super high, but I at least think he has that type of ability because he’s super talented.”
That may come off as far-fetched, but I can see it. I enjoyed Ladd McConkey's tape as much if not more than any other WR in the class. Beyond the obvious similarities like their size and jersey number, there is an underdog mentality and skillset that resemble each other on film.
Now, if Pittsburgh or any other team thought that McConkey was going to be Antonio Brown, he wouldn't be a late first round prospect, but the top WR in the draft. Simlair to Brown, however, size and durability concerns have teams questioning his ceiling.
But as Brugler said, should he "hit," McConkey will have an impact at least similar to AB, thanks to a mix of alignment versatility, route running, and even pure speed with a confirmed 4.39 forty.
So lofty it may be, but accurate it could be.
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