Adam Schefter, NFL Insider for ESPN, reported earlier this afternoon that the Oakland Raiders are planning on suspending volatile wide receiver Antonio Brown.
The Next Chapter: Antonio Brown and GM Mike Mayock got into it Wednesday, and the team is now planning to suspend its star wide receiver, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2019
The disintegration of the relationship between Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers had been widely publicized. The soap opera ultimately ended with the 31-year old receiver being traded to the Raiders in exchange for third and fifth-round picks. Brown’s total compensation over the next three years was also increased from $38.9 million to $50.1 million. He went from no guaranteed money to $30.125 million. The Raiders went all-in on Brown heading into the regular season. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering his statistical production on the field. Brown has averaged 11.1 targets, 7.5 receptions, 99 receiving yards, and 22 PPR fantasy points per game over his last 92 games. The last season he didn’t finish as a top-five fantasy WR was 2012. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out details of the incident between Brown and Mayock.
More on #Raiders WR Antonio Brown and Mike Mayock yesterday: It did not get physical, sources say. But after a screaming match, Brown told Mayock that he would hit him in the face and then punted the ball… and said, Fine me for that. 💸💸💸
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019
It’s difficult to imagine Brown returning to the Raiders after some of the incidents that have occurred up to this point.
- Social media beef with former teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Settled a lawsuit from a man claiming that his child was nearly hit from furniture tossed from a balcony
- Arrived at Raiders training camp in a hot air balloon only to be considered day to day with a foot injury
- A source with knowledge of the situation told NBC’s Chris Simms that the mysterious injury was frostbitten feet after “entering a cryotherapy machine without the proper footwear.”
- Went AWOL on the Raiders
- Filed a grievance against the NFL to appeal the league’s decision to ban certain helmets
All of these decisions by Brown alienated himself from the Raiders. He was recently fined by the Raiders for missing practice. This annoyed Brown and resulted in him using social media to post his displeasure.
Antonio Brown posts his displeasure with fines from #Raiders pic.twitter.com/0OMhdwFu7K
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 4, 2019
It’s possible that Brown never plays a game with the Raiders. The language of the letter implies that he could be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. As retribution, the Raiders could potentially go after his signing bonus.
There are those around the league who now believe the Raiders could suspend Antonio Brown with the idea of trying to void the $30.125 million of guaranteed money in his contract.
Which obviously would end his time in Oakland.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2019
This news reported by Schefter, Rapoport, and other media outlets are also moving Vegas lines for the Raiders matchup against the Broncos. Those who have Brown on their fantasy teams should prepare themselves for a scenario in which he’s released.
The reality here is that the offseason drama is likely enough for the #Raiders to void the $29M of salary guarantee. They can also go after the $1M signing bonus based on missed practices, etc… meaning Antonio Brown could then be released with $0 dead cap.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 5, 2019
As of today, Brown issued an apology to his teammates. Has he finally acknowledged that things have gone too far? It’s possible the Raiders locker room is divided regarding Brown’s antics. Is Brown’s attempt to reconcile too late?
Source: #Raiders WR Antonio Brown just issued “an emotional apology” at a team meeting this morning, just now, “with team captains standing with him.”
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 6, 2019
The plot continued to thicken with Brown posting a video of Raiders head coach Jon Gruden asking him if he still “wants to be a Raider.” The erratic behavior continued on Saturday morning with Brown sending an Instagram message to the Raiders asking to be released.
If Brown is suspended or released the Raiders’ top-three WRs would be Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, and J.J. Nelson. Tight end Darren Waller would also see additional opportunities. Williams is the biggest beneficiary of this news. He finished last season with 64 targets, 41 receptions, 653 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. Williams ranked 19th with a true catch rate of 87.2 percent. This metric divides total receptions by total catchable targets. Williams also finished within the top-10 among WRs in yards per target (10.2) and yards per reception (15.9). He wouldn’t have a problem assuming the No. 1 receiver considering Williams replaced Keenan Allen for 15 games with the Chargers and had over 1,000 receiving yards. According to our advanced metrics and Pro Football Reference over the last three seasons, 40.3 percent of Williams’ receiving yards and 11 of his 15 receiving touchdowns came on throws at least 20 yards downfield.
Renfrow is another WR who could thrive if Brown misses an extended amount of time or is released. He was one of three undervalued rookie WRs I recommended targeting in dynasty drafts. Here is what I said about him in an article I wrote for Dynasty League Football.
The Oakland Raiders selected Renfrow – out of Clemson – with the 149th overall pick. The third-team All-ACC pick was the Tigers’ top receiver in 2017 with 60 receptions, 602 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Renfrow finished the 2018 season with 49 receptions, 534 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He was the third in his family to play college football and was the recipient of the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy as the top senior whose career began as a walk-on.
Renfrow does not have the prototypical NFL receiver frame or play speed, but does possess very good route running and catching ability. This versatility will come in handy in Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s offensive scheme. He likes receivers who can play all three positions.
Did you know that 79 percent of Renfrow’s receptions resulted in first downs? And that 29 percent of his receptions were on third down? Renfrow is in a prime position to see opportunities in a Raiders offense that is expected to trend up this season.
Waller would also benefit after injuries and PED suspensions have derailed his NFL career up to this point. The converted wide receiver from Georgia Tech has been talked up throughout the offseason after the Raiders didn’t resign tight end, Jared Cook. Waller was already in a great position to break out this season, but the Brown news raises his ceiling considerably. Quarterback Derek Carr has targeted TEs on 18.5 percent of his career passes.
Running back Jalen Richard could also see more opportunities as a receiver out of the backfield as a result of the news. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders use him and rookie RB Josh Jacobs.
