Amon-Ra St. Brown among non-first round rookies that can make NFL impact this season

Amon-Ra St. Brown may have been a fourth-round draft pick, but he’s drawing plenty of headlines prior to his rookie season. This week, NFL Network’s Gil Bradnt ranked rookies drafted outside the first round that he believes can pop in 2021.

Of the top eleven candidates, Brandt ranked the former USC Trojan sixth.

“There should be ample opportunity for St. Brown to grab playing time in Detroit, where an uninspiring collection of receiving talent (Breshad Perriman, Tyrell Williams, Kalif Raymond) populates the depth chart,” wrote Brandt. “The rookie has been drawing rave reviews from writers for his on-field performance — and from head coach Dan Campbell for his willingness to “mix it up” with teammates following an in-practice skirmish earlier this month.”

Brandt’s assessment of St. Brown is consistent with the praise that’s been heaped on the rookie wide receiver from coaches and analysts alike. Additionally, St. Brown has been the Lions’ best receiver throughout camp, according to Ed Edholm of Yahoo Sports.

While St. Brown may have been the 17th receiver taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions are counting their lucky stars he fell to them.

At USC, St. Brown saw an impressive volume of passes go his way. The wide receiver had five or more catches in 16 of his 17 final games of his college career, while also only having three career games with fewer than three catches, per Edholm. 

In 2019, St. Brown broke out to the tune of 77 receptions, totalling 1,042 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. In a shortened 2020, he tallied 478 yards and 7 touchdown receptions on 41 receptions. All in all, impressive numbers for the highly-talented receiver.

Amon-Ra St. Brown wants to be the Dennis Rodman of the Lions

As Dan Campbell tries to bring an edge to the Lions in his first season as head coach Detroit, St. Brown is providing it. According to Kyle Meinke of Michigan Live, the rookie receiver has been realizing his head coach’s vision through bringing a Dennis Rodman-like energy.

For example, Meinke tells the story of St. Brown’s scuffles in camp with defensive backs Jeff Okudah and Ifeati Melifonwu. Instead of backing down, St. Brown craved contact, wanting the opportunity to go out and perform against the best the team had to offer.

St. Brown’s been one of the hardest working players at his first camp, trying to make an impression in his rookie season. As a fourth-round selection with a chip on his shoulder, Rodman may be the perfect inspiration for the receiver. 

“For me, just going out there, playing my game, doing what I do – making plays, catching the ball, blocking hard, and just going out there and being myself,” St. Brown said, per Meinke. “Not thinking too much. This is my first NFL training camp, so you hear these stories, ‘It gets tough, this, that and the other,’ so for me, I’m just going out there and trying to do my thing and show the coaches what I can do.”

If Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to bring the same energy all season long, the Detroit Lions got a steal in the former USC Trojan.