New England Patriots
“Josh McDaniels saw it with myself and he sees it in A.J. Brown as well.”
Rob Gronkowski was announced as the latest inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Wednesday. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe
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A.J. Brown’s combination of speed and strength has helped make him one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL.
It also prompted an interesting comparison from Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels last week.
“Honestly they’re all a little different,” McDaniels said. “I say all meaning that I’ve been fortunate to have a chance to be around some really good ones. Not sure if I’ve seen one that looks just like [Brown].”
“Maybe the closest thing I’ve seen was Gronk,” he added.
Rob Gronkowski, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, doesn’t mind the comparison because of the physicality that Brown plays with.
“I respect that comparison,” Gronkowski said during an appearance on “Up & Adams” on Monday. “Josh McDaniels knows what he is talking about, and I understand what he is saying because A.J. Brown is a big body out there. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s a guy that takes attention from the defense even when the ball is not going to him.”
“Even when you know it’s a run play you’re still going to have attention, you’re still going to put guys out there to make sure if there’s no audible check the play goes over to A.J. Brown and give him an opportunity. Just a presence, a big bodied presence.”
One of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history, Gronkowski was listed at 6-foot-6, 265-pounds during his playing days. His combination of size and strength helped create mismatches.
Brown, at 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds, is a different kind of player than Gronkowski. He plays wide receiver, but his physical tools have prompted comparisons to the legendary tight end.
“It’s hard to be that big and to move,” Gronkowski said. “Josh McDaniels saw it with myself and he sees it in A.J. Brown as well. I love that comparison. That was really cool to see him say that.”
Gronkowski said the way Brown uses his body to get open also makes the comparison a good one.
Brown turns 29 this month and has a degenerative knee condition. The knee condition hasn’t caused him to miss much time, but it did reportedly spook a team that had considered trading for him.
Brown has established himself as one of the league’s best deep threat receivers. Gronkowski pointed out that Brown can use more than just speed to create separation.
“That’s how I got open a lot. I was never really running by guys,” Gronkowski said. “I used by body, blocked out guys, and Tom [Brady] would put the ball where only I could go up and that’s the same with A.J. Brown. That’s probably what Josh McDaniels sees in him.”
Gronkowski said Brown’s presence will elevate the entire roster. The Patriots have a shot at another deep playoff run, he said.
“They definitely have a chance,” Gronkowski said. “They needed this trade. They needed a No. 1 wide receiver to compete again and get back to the Super Bowl or at least get back to the playoffs with Super Bowl aspirations … their offense is complete, their defense is very solid, so I see them having another solid year.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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