When the Steelers released their initial training camp depth chart a few days ago, there were certainly a few surprises. However, the biggest might have been wide receiver Justin Brown, who was listed as the primary back up behind pro bowler Antonio Brown.
Selected in the sixth round in the 2013 draft, Brown was one of the final cuts in training camp, and spent the remainder of his first season on the Steelers practice squad. Brown seems to be opening eyes in his second training camp with the Steelers. At 6’3 and a touch over 200 pounds, Brown has the size the Steelers have been searching for to complement their passing attack.
Reports have consistently been positive since mini-camp, as Brown seems to have better grasp of the offense, allowing him to play faster, along with the fact that he’s been catching everything thrown his way at practice.
Brown has a connection to one of the Steelers quarterbacks too, as he was one of Landry Jones favorite targets at Oklahoma in 2012, catching 73 passes for 879 yards and five touchdowns. Brown spent his first three seasons at Penn State, before transferring to the Sooners his senior year after various sanctions were handed out in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
In an interview with ESPN.com’s Scott Brown last week, Justin Brown attributed feeling more comfortable in the Steeler offense as one of the biggest reasons for his emergence. According to Brown, “Just knowing more has allowed me to play faster.” Playing fast is a key factor in being successful, and it seems to be making all the difference the second time around.
Looking to Antonio Brown as an example of how to be successful seems to be a smart move, as he too was a late-round pick, and is now considered one of the top wide receivers in the AFC. Whether or not the Steelers can strike it big with another Brown who was passed over until late in the draft, is still yet to be determined. If early reports from camp are true, it could just happen.
With the Steelers signing free agent Darrius Heyward-Bey from Oakland, along with third-year local product Derek Moye, and rookie draft pick Martavis Bryant expect to challenge for the fourth WR position, Brown’s impressive showing might heat up the competition for a final roster spot.
Brown will get his first opportunity to continue his impressive start in a game setting Saturday night as the Steelers travel to New York to play the Giants.
