5 Potential Landing Spots for Antonio Brown

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Let’s start off by stating it would be foolish of the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade away Antonio Brown, unless he pulls a Le’Veon Bell and holds out for the 2019 season.  The team’s cap space wouldn’t increase by a significant amount, and the Steelers would lose another superstar for a second consecutive season. Per mixed reports, it seems as though Pittsburgh is open to trading away Brown, but it hasn’t necessarily been demanded. While it remains a possibility, here is our list of the most likely landing spots for Brown: 

1) San Francisco 49ers

Outside of George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers could use someone other than Kendrick Bourne, who led the team with 487 yards at the wide receiver position. If that wasn’t enough, a tweet from Kittle might have stoked the fire some more.

Brown would likely thrive in a system run by Kyle Shanahan, and Jimmy Garoppolo would have the arm to potentially break some personal records. It makes sense for the Steelers as well, considering San Francisco sits in the opposite conference.

2) Miami Dolphins

Viewed as another team who could use a star receiver, Brown had more receiving yards than the Dolphins top two wide receivers combined. If Miami decides to replace Ryan Tannehill, someone like Brown could make it easier on whoever they bring in. The same could also be said for whoever ends up being the next head coach in Miami.

Antonio Brown is from South Beach and still lives there, so I doubt he would have any problems with a trade there. If the Dolphins are serious about contending, this is a move they should attempt to make.

3) Oakland Raiders

As far as return value that Pittsburgh could receive for Antonio Brown, it would be difficult to beat whatever the Raiders may offer. The team contains 3 first-round picks in this years draft, and are in serious need of a wide receiver after trading Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys. Oakland finished the 2018 season with a record of 4-12, so would it be worth trading all 3 picks for just one player? We have seen stranger moves out of the Raiders.

4) Arizona Cardinals

We still don’t know what’s going to happen with Larry Fitzgerald, but Antonio Brown could fit in this offense, regardless of losing their current #1 wide receiver to retirement. The Cardinals might not be considered a contender, but adding Brown would help their case. In this situation, Pittsburgh would likely end up with the #1 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. 

5) New York Jets

It has been awhile since the New York Jets have had a reliable offense, but they may have found a franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold. Adding Antonio Brown would give Darnold another weapon at receiver, and what if the Jets end up adding LeVeon Bell as well? The team has almost $100 million in available cap space, so why not go after a few stars?

Bonus: New England Patriots/Houston Texans

We can’t talk about a blockbuster move and not bring up the New England Patriots. Even if it seems highly unlikely that Pittsburgh would trade him there, it’s hard to know what Belichick and Kraft could be planning.

As for Houston, didn’t Longshot mode in Madden predict Brown getting traded to the Texans? We’re joking with this, of course, but if Bill O’Brien decides to sit out for a year and Bill Cowher replaces him, I wouldn’t bet against a move for Brown. That’s likely what it would take however.

Image Credit: Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports