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Depending on your league’s scoring settings, Antonio Brown should be somewhere between second and 10th in wide receiver scoring this season. He is one of the most consistent players in fantasy football, averaging seven catches and about 95 yards per game, with five touchdowns on the season so far. Over the last month, he is averaging 18.5 fantasy points per game in standard scoring formats.
So why are we even discussing the idea of sitting Brown this week?
Joe Haden.
If you are not familiar with Haden, he could possibly be the best shutdown corner in the league. If he isn’t the best, he certainly belongs in the conversation with Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib. He has consistently shut down some of the top receivers in football, and this weekend, when his Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brown could be the next victim Haden negates in 2013.
Here is a quick review of what Haden has done against top receivers so far in 2013:
Mike Wallace: one catch, 15 yards
Torrey Smith: seven catches, 85 yards
Greg Jennings: three catches, 43 yards
A.J. Green: seven catches, 51 yards
Stevie Johnson: two catches, 19 yards
Calvin Johnson: three catches, 25 yards
Jordy Nelson: five catches, 43 yards, one touchdown
Dwayne Bowe: one catch, seven yards
Torrey Smith: five catches, 78 yards
A.J. Green: two catches, seven yards
If you are not impressed with that, then you just don’t appreciate defense. So what are owners to do?
Cleveland has allowed the seventh fewest points per game to wide receivers. If you have someone who you think can get you upwards of 60-70 yards and has a decent shot to score, then you might be able to afford to sit Brown. On the other side, Brown has been on fire lately, he is still the primary read in the Steelers’ passing game and unless you have some real depth at wide receiver then you almost have to start Brown. I have Brown on one of my teams and will be starting him with Keenan Allen over Percy Harvin (bye) and Roddy White. I’m not particularly excited about his chances this weekend however. Haden has been spectacular against top tier receivers this season, and Brown could be in for a long game.
As always, I welcome your comments. If you think I’m wrong, I’m willing to listen. Just back it up with some facts and solid evidence. Thanks for reading and good luck this season.
Dustin Manko is an author at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustinManko, ”Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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