Re-examining Amon-Ra St. Brown’s draft: Kadarius Toney, Dyami Brown, and the 16 wide receivers selected before the 2021 Lions star
Re-examining Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Draft: Kadarius Toney, Dyami Brown, and the 16 Wide Receivers Selected Before the 2021 Lions Star
When the Detroit Lions selected Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, many viewed it as a solid but relatively unremarkable pick. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound wide receiver from USC had solid college production, but he was considered by some to be overshadowed by bigger names in a stacked wide receiver class. Fast forward to 2025, and St. Brown is one of the NFL’s brightest young stars at the receiver position, consistently outperforming expectations and emerging as a key playmaker for the Lions.
However, when looking back at the 2021 NFL Draft, it’s impossible to ignore the wide receivers selected before St. Brown, some of whom have not panned out as expected. In fact, 16 wide receivers were taken before St. Brown, including names like Kadarius Toney, Dyami Brown, and several others who have failed to live up to their billing.
In this article, we will re-examine the 2021 NFL Draft from the perspective of the wide receiver position, exploring how Amon-Ra St. Brown has flourished while others have struggled to make a significant impact. We will analyze the wide receivers selected before him, the context of their selection, the expectations surrounding them, and how St. Brown has proven to be one of the most effective and consistent players from this loaded class.
The Wide Receiver Class of 2021: A High-Risk, High-Reward Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft featured an exceptionally deep wide receiver class, one of the most talent-rich groups in recent history. There was no shortage of prospects, each with their own unique set of skills. This class was headlined by names like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and others who were expected to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
However, after those top-tier players, the draft featured a number of wide receivers with varying degrees of upside and risk. Teams were banking on certain traits — speed, route-running ability, explosiveness, and size — to project future success, but many of the selections before St. Brown were high on potential, even if they hadn’t yet fully refined their skills at the collegiate level.
The Lions, selecting 112th overall in the fourth round, made one of the best selections of the entire draft when they took Amon-Ra St. Brown. Known for his crisp route-running, excellent hands, and high football IQ, St. Brown had already established himself as one of the most productive receivers in college football. He was often overshadowed by bigger names in the draft but proved to be a reliable and polished receiver with NFL-ready traits.
But St. Brown was far from the first receiver selected. Let’s take a look at the 16 wide receivers chosen before him and evaluate where things went wrong (or right) for those players.
The 16 Wide Receivers Selected Before Amon-Ra St. Brown
1. Ja’Marr Chase (5th Overall – Cincinnati Bengals)
Ja’Marr Chase’s selection by the Bengals is widely regarded as one of the best draft decisions in recent years. After sitting out the 2020 college football season due to the pandemic, Chase entered the 2021 Draft as one of the most polished and dominant receivers in college football. He has lived up to every bit of the hype, becoming an immediate star for Cincinnati, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his first two seasons. Chase’s connection with Joe Burrow has been one of the most lethal quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL.
2. Jaylen Waddle (6th Overall – Miami Dolphins)
Selected by the Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle’s selection was justified by his explosive speed and ability to stretch the field. Waddle has been highly productive for Miami, emerging as one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league. His versatility, quickness, and agility have made him a reliable weapon for the Dolphins, although questions remain about his consistency in contested catches and ability to dominate in all aspects of the game.
3. DeVonta Smith (10th Overall – Philadelphia Eagles)
DeVonta Smith was one of the most accomplished wide receivers in college football, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2020. His route-running and hands were praised coming out of Alabama, and Smith has shown flashes of his potential in the NFL. However, his smaller frame (listed at 6 feet, 170 pounds) has raised some concerns about his ability to handle physicality at the next level. Smith has still been productive, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, but his development has had some bumps along the way.
4. Kyle Pitts (4th Overall – Atlanta Falcons)
While not a wide receiver, Kyle Pitts is worth mentioning as he was selected right ahead of St. Brown. Pitts is listed as a tight end, but his skill set and athleticism have allowed him to function as a versatile receiving threat. His first few seasons in the NFL have been somewhat underwhelming due to inconsistent quarterback play and a lack of a strong supporting cast, but Pitts remains a tantalizing talent with elite physical traits.
5. Kadarius Toney (20th Overall – New York Giants)
The selection of Kadarius Toney by the New York Giants has been one of the most perplexing decisions in recent drafts. Toney was regarded as one of the most electrifying playmakers in college football, known for his dynamic playmaking ability and burst after the catch. However, his time with the Giants has been marred by injuries, lack of discipline, and inconsistent production. Toney was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs during his second season, where he has had moments of brilliance, but his career remains clouded by underachievement and off-field issues.
6. Rashod Bateman (27th Overall – Baltimore Ravens)
Rashod Bateman was one of the most refined wide receiver prospects coming out of Minnesota, with excellent route-running and hands. He was viewed as a polished prospect capable of stepping into the NFL and producing immediately. Unfortunately, Bateman’s career has been plagued by injuries, and he has yet to fully establish himself as a true No. 1 option in Baltimore’s run-heavy offense.
7. Terrace Marshall Jr. (59th Overall – Carolina Panthers)
Terrace Marshall Jr. had an impressive college career at LSU but has failed to live up to expectations in the NFL. While his size and speed were enticing, Marshall has struggled to carve out a role in Carolina’s offense, playing behind other, more established receivers. Injuries and inconsistency have limited his impact thus far.
8. Dyami Brown (82nd Overall – Washington Football Team)
Dyami Brown, selected by the Washington Football Team (now the Washington Commanders), was considered a dynamic deep threat with elite speed and playmaking ability. While Brown has had some flashes, he has not become a consistent contributor in Washington’s offense. With the Commanders investing in other wide receivers and developing a run-first offense, Brown has failed to live up to the expectations placed on him.
9. Elijah Moore (34th Overall – New York Jets)
Elijah Moore had a promising rookie season with the Jets, showcasing his elite route-running and quickness. However, his second season was marred by inconsistency and the team’s quarterback instability. Moore’s future in New York is uncertain as the Jets’ offense continues to evolve.
10. Amon-Ra St. Brown (112th Overall – Detroit Lions)
St. Brown’s selection in the fourth round was a steal for the Lions, as he quickly emerged as one of the most reliable and consistent wide receivers in the NFL. Known for his exceptional hands, route-running, and ability to make tough catches in crucial moments, St. Brown has proven to be a star in Detroit. His impressive performance during his first few seasons has helped solidify him as one of the top receivers in his draft class.
11. Other Wide Receivers Selected Before St. Brown
Several other wide receivers were selected in the second, third, and fourth rounds of the 2021 draft, including names like Tylan Wallace, Amari Rodgers, and Sage Surratt. While some of these players have shown flashes of potential, none have been able to make a significant impact the way St. Brown has for Detroit.
Comparing Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Success to His Peers
When comparing Amon-Ra St. Brown to the 16 wide receivers selected before him in the 2021 NFL Draft, it’s clear that his success has far outpaced many of his peers. Despite being drafted in the fourth round, St. Brown quickly became a focal point in Detroit’s offense, earning a reputation as a reliable target for Jared Goff and establishing himself as one of the most polished receivers from the class.
In contrast, many of the wide receivers selected ahead of him have struggled to stay healthy, find consistent roles in their offenses, or live up to the hype that surrounded them before the draft. The case of Kadarius Toney is particularly glaring, as he was selected as a playmaking weapon but has failed to stay on the field and develop into a top-tier talent. Similarly, Dyami Brown has yet to carve out a role in Washington’s offense, and Rashod Bateman’s injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential.
While the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith have certainly lived up to their billing, St. Brown’s ability to produce in a variety of situations, maintain excellent health, and become the clear top option for the Lions makes him one of the most successful wide receivers from the 2021 draft class.
