The Oakland Raiders had everyone's phone buzzing with the notification that they traded for Antonio Brown just a couple of days ago. Many people quickly took to social media to give their two cents for both sides of the trade.
The deal includes the Raiders trading a third and a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Brown. That seems like light compensation for one of the best wide receivers in the NFL but it could just be me.
The Raiders were also able to land a first-round pick for Amari Cooper before last season's trade deadline passed. So, essentially the Raiders traded Cooper, a third-round pick, and a fifth-round pick for Brown and a first-round.
That isn't a bad return for a receiver that they had no intentions of signing long-term. So what does this trade mean for the Raiders?
It means they get an ultra-productive receiver who will be ready to work the first day of training camp. Furthermore, it also helps Derek Carr get back on track after struggling the past couple of seasons.
Adding someone like Brown would benefit just about any quarterback in the NFL. Here are three reasons why Antonio Brown will make Derek Carr an improved quarterback in the NFL—starting in 2019.
3. Mr. Big Chest is Ready to Work
Throughout this whole saga between Antonio Brown and the Steelers, it seems like there's a false narrative being created that Brown isn't willing to put in the work.
Brown is a guy who was a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He had to earn his keeps to be able to become the player he is today.
When he first began his career with the Steelers out of Central Michigan, he was mainly a special teams player. His first score in the NFL was on a kick return.
After three seasons of not being a full-time starter, Brown burst onto the scene for the Steelers. Since 2013, Brown has averaged 114 receptions, 1,524 yards, and 11 touchdowns in every season.
I keep mentioning those stats in every article I write because I don't think people fully understand how crazy those numbers are. He was never given anything with the Steelers, he earned it.
Brown is going to do just that with the Raiders and Carr.
Having someone as committed to the game as Brown to help Carr on the offense is going to prove to be very beneficial.
2. Brown Has the Experience
Besides a hefty new deal, Antonio Brown brings a ton of experience to an inexperienced Raiders squad. Not many players on the offensive side of the ball have playoff experience.
Although it never worked as expected in Pittsburgh, Brown and his former team still had some playoff success. They just could never get over the hump with their dynamic trio of Brown, Le'Veon Bell, and Ben Roethlisberger.
Someday, we will likely get a 30 for 30 on ESPN explaining how the Steelers always fell short with the talented roster they possessed. Brown will want to prevent the same thing happening in Oakland.
Carr has yet to play in a playoff game due to injuries preventing him from doing so. Just three years ago, Carr led the Raiders to a 12-3 record before suffering an injury that held him out of the postseason.
Antonio will be able to guide Carr in the right direction to lead the Raiders back to the playoffs.
Of course, Brown will be the main beneficiary for Carr to throw to going forward.
1. What Can Brown Do For You? A Lot
The sheer amount of production from Brown is remarkable. He may be turning 31 years old soon but he is far from done as one of the league's best wideouts.
Again, over the last six seasons, his numbers are right up there with the guys who sport a gold jacket after making it into Canton.
In 2018—at 30-years old, Brown had a career-high 15 touchdowns. At this point in his career, he isn't showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
This is music to the Raiders front office's ears. They signed him to a new three-year deal and expect to get a ton of production from him in the process.
There's not a doubt that Brown will easily step in and let the league know that he is still here to cause problems to opposing defenses.
Having someone as gifted as Brown makes it so much easier on a quarterback. Carr is going to be smiling more knowing he gets to throw the ball to an all-time great receiver.
Although people believe that Brown only benefitted from playing with Roethlisberger—it goes the other way too. Roethlisberger has had his best seasons since Brown became a focal point of the Steelers offense.
Bringing Brown aboard will prove to work wonders for a quarterback in Carr who has had little to work with the past couple of seasons.
The 2019 season could be the emergence of Carr as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.
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