Oakland Raiders: Antonio Brown predicted to have down year

The Oakland Raiders traded for Antonio Brown with the keen desire to put a superstar on their offense who could open things up.

Brown has been the best wide receiver in football for a lengthy stretch of time. His numbers have proven that as he has gone over at least 1,200 yards an 10 touchdowns every year since 2013. The guy is an absolute stats machine. His self-confidence would make one think that he can produce at that level no matter where he plays.

One person doesn’t seem to trust that will be the case. Nate Burleson played wide receiver in the NFL for a long time. He knows the position and also knows what can happen when you switch teams. He did it several times in his career. Writing his latest piece for NFL.com, he pinpointed which receivers will have better years than last season, similar years, and who would regress.

His take on Brown? Not entirely optimistic, at least according to A.B. standards.

"“Brown is one of the best wide receivers in the game, but his numbers were often inflated in Pittsburgh because of the sheer amount of offensive talent, specifically on the part of the two other Killer Bs (Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell). Even without Bell in 2018, Brown was still surrounded by talent, with Roethlisberger under center, James Conner in the backfield and JuJu Smith-Schuster opposite Brown. AB doesn’t have those mega elements in Oakland, with Derek Carr, Tyrell Williams and a committee of veteran backs. His stat line will suffer because of it.2019 prediction: 85 receptions, 1,000 yards, 9 TDs.”"

Antonio Brown is known for being grumpy when he’s not getting the ball

Posting 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns would be considered a big success for most receivers in the NFL. For Brown? That might as well be a disaster. Far below the benchmark he’s set for himself and far below what the Raiders are paying him to produce. One thing is for sure. Brown would not be happy about it if such a thing came to pass.

While he says winning is important, many who have played with Brown over the years have stated his greater obsessions are with money and stats. He has his money now but what could happen if the Raiders aren’t able to feature him to the same extent he was in Pittsburgh? Jon Gruden is no stranger to dealing with cranky wide receivers. See Keyshawn Johnson. That relationship lasted just four seasons despite including a Super Bowl title.

What could happen if A.B. doesn’t get his numbers or wins right away? That could create a problem.