The Arizona Cardinals have been in search of a true complementary receiver to pair with Larry Fitzgerald since Anquan Boldin left the desert in 2010.
While Michael Floyd showed promise last season with 65 catches for 1,041 yards and five touchdowns, general manager Steve Keim is extremely excited by third-round draft pick John Brown.
In a note to Robert Mays of Grantland.com, Keim spoke glowingly about the early progress of Brown so far during training camp.
“I haven’t seen a rookie come in and do what he’s done — and it’s early still — since Anquan Boldin,” Keim said. “This guy came through the first day, and being from Pittsburg State, has uncanny instincts, unbelievable understanding of route concepts, leverage, being in the right spot at the right time.”
Keim said he hasn’t seen any of their players able to cover Brown so far during training camp. He also said he would have been “irate” if they hadn’t landed Brown in the draft.
Brown had five catches for 87 yards in the first half of Arizona’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans last week.
The Cardinals passed for over 4,000 yards a season ago with just Fitzgerald and Floyd as the primary targets. If Brown can be another go-to target for Carson Palmer, the Cardinals may have an even better shot at challenging for the top of the NFC West.