Amon-Ra St. Brown has become a do-it-all guy for the Lions, and he’s embracing a comparison to one of the most versatile players in the NFL.
Over his now rookie record run of five straight games with eight or more receptions, Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL. With D’Andre Swift out for four games prior to returning Sunday against the Seahawks, and T.J. Hockenson out the last couple games after season-ending thumb surgery, the Lions have leaned on St. Brown.
St. Brown has his role expanded beyond being just a slot receiver. He has lined up out wide and in the backfield, with touches in the screen game and on reverses. He ran for a touchdown against Seattle, and he has a rushing attempt in four of the last five games (five carries over the last three).
Amon-Ra St. Brown embraces comp to Deebo Samuel
There’s being versatile and used in a variety of ways, then there’s how the San Francisco 49ers use Deebo Samuel. He’s having a nice season in a traditional role as a wide receiver (73 receptions for 1,310 yards, but he’s also got 320 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground over 51 carries. Truly, Samuel (6-foot, 215 pounds) is built like a running back.
Via Tim Twentyman of the Lions’ website, St. Brown embraced a comparison to Samuel.
I love watching Deebo,” St. Brown said Sunday after catching eight passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, and also rushing for a touchdown (26 yards). “He’s a beast. He does it all. You watch his tape, I mean running back, receiver, YAC (yards after catch), everything. Versatility helps play callers and helps our team. You can get favorable matchups.”
Beyond his recent run of production, St. Brown has been lauded by Lions’ coaches for his blocking–which has invited comparisons to Hines Ward. With some implied input from tight ends coach Ben Johnson lately, the Lions are using St. Brown all over the field and finding ways to simply put the ball in his hands.