The Fantasy Impact of Antonio Brown’s Potential Trade to the Bills
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Antonio Brown.
- Wide receiver Antonio Brown is reportedly close to being traded to the Buffalo Bills, per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- Here's a look at fantasy football ramifications for Brown and the Steelers moving forward.
Editor’s note: This article was posted shortly after Ian Rapoport first reported the Steelers and Bills were “closing in on a deal” involving Antonio Brown. But seven hours after the initial report, Bills GM Brandon Beane told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the team has “moved on” and wouldn’t be trading for Brown. When a deal actually gets done, look out for fantasy and betting reaction from The Action Network and FantasyLabs.
Rumors circulated on Thursday that the Steelers had given teams a Friday deadline to put together their best deal for Antonio Brown. The Buffalo Bills will apparently win the sweepstakes for the star wide receiver, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter questioned the legitimacy of the report, as the NFL reaches NBA levels of offseason madness.
Let’s break down the potential repercussions of what would be the biggest trade in recent memory for all parties involved.
Life in Buffalo for AB
I’d venture to guess that Brown didn’t have Buffalo towards the top of his list of preferred suitors. Regardless, he’s now expected catch passes from second-year quarterback Josh Allen, who was one of the league’s worst passers during his rookie season.
- Yards per attempt: 6.48 (28th among 29 quarterbacks with at least 10 starts)
- QB Rating: 67.9 (28th)
- TD Rate: 3.1% (27th)
- Interception Rate: 3.75% (29th)
- Completion Rate: 52.8%
Allen was electric as a rusher, but AB hasn’t exactly been the league’s most-willing downfield blocker throughout his career.