I have A.J. Brown as my fantasy WR1 this week in a fantastic matchup against the Commanders, and I don’t think there’s a case against him being the WR1 besides the fact that Tyreek Hill has the capability to go nuclear at any time. The thing is though – A.J. Brown is just on an entirely new level this season compared to last year, and he’s challenging Tyreek Hill as the best fantasy WR in football over the past five weeks.
In that time span, he’s averaging a higher target share (34% to 33%), a higher aDOT by a long shot (13.25 to 10.47), a higher air yards share (50% to 47% - ridiculous), 37% of the Eagles’ end zone targets to Tyreek’s 20%, and more fantasy points per game (26 to 25.4). And you’ve probably heard this stat flying around all week, but it matters: Brown has 125 or more receiving yards in five straight games, and now he’s getting the Commanders who are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers overall and 5th most points to perimeter pass catchers.
He’s managed to make Devonta Smith a legit afterthought in this offense, and as problematic as that’s been for Smith’s managers, I think we should get used to the level of domination we’re seeing from AJB. He’s tearing it up not only from a utilization standpoint, but also in his production.