St. Brown, who played high school football in Santa Ana and became a standout at USC, had to wait patiently during the 2021 draft as 16 names were called before his. But that didn't deter him. In his return to Los Angeles, St. Brown proved his worth by catching eight passes for a career-high 156 yards and one touchdown in a thrilling 41-38 victory against the Chargers.
“He’s a stud,” head coach Dan Campbell said. “He just continues to make plays. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again -- he is the most steady, reliable guy that you can find in this league. I’d love to know someone that is more reliable than him, because I don’t know if there is. He just does what he’s supposed to do, times 10. He’s productive. He’s tough. He’s physical. He’s a game-changing type of player. The bigger the moment the bigger he shows up. You talk about that word trust, there is a tremendous amount of trust for him, in him, and what he’s able to do."
In just his third year in the league, St. Brown has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He set a franchise record for the Detroit Lions as the best rookie receiver in their history. In his second year, he surpassed any young receiver in NFL history in terms of catches. And now, in Year 3, St. Brown has achieved a remarkable feat of four consecutive 100-yard games, matching a record held by the legendary Calvin Johnson. His seven 100-yard games overall are tied with A.J. Brown for the league lead.
With 261 career catches, St. Brown leads all receivers from his draft class, trailing only Ja'Marr Chase in receiving yards. The remarkable part? Chase was the fifth overall pick in the draft, while St. Brown had to wait until the 112th pick to hear his name called.
St. Brown's success can be attributed to his unwavering dedication and commitment to making the most of his opportunities. As he humbly states, “For me, I just like to make the most of all my opportunities. Especially at receiver, man. You can complain or whatever, but when the ball comes your way, are you making the play? Or are you not? For me, that’s the biggest thing. I want to make the play every time it comes my way.”
And make the play he does. St. Brown boasts an impressive catch rate of 74.1%, the third-best in NFL history for any receiver targeted with at least 100 passes in their first 41 career games. Despite being the primary target in Detroit's passing attack, his efficiency numbers are off the charts.
What sets St. Brown apart is his ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments. When the Chargers mounted a comeback to tie the game, it was St. Brown who stepped up with a clutch third-down catch and a 33-yard gain. On the very next play, he caught a pass at the line of scrimmage and sprinted his way to a 20-yard touchdown, helping the Lions maintain their lead against the Chargers' formidable offense.
By the end of the game, St. Brown had established himself as the best receiver on the field, as he has done time and time again.
“I feel as good with him as I’ve ever felt with anybody,” Goff said. “He’s a stud. He gets himself open. He has great hands. I could go down the list of things we all know about him. I think, ultimately, I trust him. It’s a credit to the way he practices, and the way that he goes about his business.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown's journey from being overlooked in the draft to becoming one of the most reliable and productive receivers in the league is a testament to his talent and hard work. As he continues to shine, it's clear that the future is bright for this rising star of the Detroit Lions.
