While the Tennessee Titans 2019 NFL Draft picks were largely composed of defensive players, the team did select two names to strengthen the offense.
One of these was former Ole Miss wide receiver AJ Brown, chosen with the No. 51 overall pick in the second round. With this, Brown joins a receiving corps composed of Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe and Taywan Taylor.
Here’s six things to know about Tennessee’s newest wideout:
1. He shares a connection to Titans first-rounder Jeffery Simmons.
General manager Jon Robinson’s first two picks of the draft are no strangers to each other.
Brown and Simmons grew up roughly half an hour away from each other in Mississippi, and were originally high school rivals. Once Simmons went to Mississippi State and Brown chose to continue his career at Ole Miss, the two became college rivals as well.
“He’s a great guy and dominant and force to be reckoned with,” Brown said. “We are from the same place, basically down the street.”
2. He easily could have been a professional baseball player instead.
Football isn’t only sport the former Rebel has found success in.
Brown played outfield for Starkville High, and was drafted in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres.
3. Jerry Rice was one of his mentors.
Brown didn’t become as established as he is on his own.
Before the draft, he went through endurance training with Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice.
“He was just telling me how he liked to play in the games,” Brown said of Rice. “His first quarter was his best. Running the hill and getting in shape, he’s still going like it’s the first quarter. You have to stay ready and train hard for those big moments.
4. He was a versatile standout at Ole Miss.
Versatility is a key to being successful in Tennessee — and it’s also a trait Brown possesses.
When his college teammate D.K. Metcalf was injured, Brown had no issue filling in for him. Brown said he could play both inside and outside with ease.
“Whatever Tennessee needs,” he said. “At Ole Miss, I was a slot guy when D.K. got hurt, so I could do both. I could play inside and outside; it really wasn’t a problem. I can run any route, so, I mean, it wasn’t a problem. Got to have the best people on the field any time. At the next level, I’m trying to be able to be versatile.
5. He’s got a pretty cute puppy.
Football and stats aside, it’s hard to argue against Brown’s taste in dogs. The receiver took to Instagram with this photo of his Pit Bull puppy – who even has his own social media account – in March. It’s pretty easy to assume Bentley Juan Brown is living the good life.
6. He’ll be wearing a new number.
Brown may have worn No. 1 for Ole Miss, but he’ll see a number change in 2019 with the Titans. He took to Instagram with this photo of him wearing No. 16 in a Tennessee uniform on Saturday.
