The McCourty twins have spent the week at ESPN as guest analysts for the network and during that time, Devin McCourty, who plays safety for the New England Patriots, was asked who he thinks is the best wide receiver currently in the league. While McCourty admits it’s a touch choice, he ultimately chose Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
“I think this is one of the hardest positions to even evaluate. Because first of all, you look at the receiver position and the first thing you want to do is put these freak athletes like Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant [at the top],” McCourty said on First Take, according to Phil Perry of csnne.com. “But I started my list with Antonio Brown. We talk about all these guys that are big and talented and fast — they can do everything. But this little guy led all receivers last year. He did everything, while still punt returning. You can look at everything that a guy brings to the table, but don’t disregard production and I thought he was the No. 1 productive receiver last year so I put him there.”
Devin chose wisely and he’s right about Brown’s production as the Steelers great play-maker led the league in both receptions and receiving yardage last season. The Patriots safety, who was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Rutgers, will get to see Brown again first-hand during the 2015 Thursday night regular-season opener at Gillette Stadium.
Brown, in case you didn’t know, turned 27 on Friday.
Devin, as expected, thinks the Patriots should be favored to win the AFC once again. His twin brother, Jason McCourty, who plays cornerback for the Tennessee Titians, picked the Denver Broncos.