A Tale of Two Receivers: DJ Moore vs. AJ Brown
A recent article compares two star NFL wide receivers—DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears and AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles—both of whom were acquired via trade (Moore in 2023, Brown in 2024). Now sharing the same division (AFC East), the two players present a compelling side-by-side study.
Both have been in the NFL since 2019, but their paths have diverged sharply when it comes to quarterback support and team success.
Brown has had better quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill, Jalen Hurts) compared to Moore (Cam Newton, Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, PJ Walker, Justin Fields, Caleb Williams).
Despite this disparity, their individual performance metrics from the 2019–2024 regular season are remarkably close:
- Receiving yards per game: Moore 69.9, Brown 73.3
- Receptions per game: Moore 5.40, Brown 5.30
- Touchdowns per game: Moore 0.40, Brown 0.50
- Yards per target: Moore 8.2, Brown 8.8
- Yards per reception: Moore 12.9, Brown 13.9
- Missed tackles forced per game: Moore 0.72, Brown 0.69
- Contested catch rate: Moore 57.4%, Brown 55.7%
- First downs per game: Moore 3.5, Brown 3.6
In man coverage since 2022, Moore has 479 targets, Brown 521.
Physically, they are nearly identical: Brown (6'1", 226 lbs) and Moore (6'0", 213 lbs) posted similar pre-draft athletic testing numbers and are within three months of each other in age.
Accolades tell a different story. Brown has earned three Second-Team All-Pro selections (2022–2024) and a Super Bowl ring. Moore has none. Moore made his playoff debut in 2024, recording 11 receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets across two games.
The conclusion: While Brown boasts greater team success, better quarterback play, and more individual honors, Moore's comparable statistics and similar physical profile suggest the gap may be narrower than the accolades imply.