Oakland Raiders: Antonio Brown will push Gareon Conley to be great

The Oakland Raiders got themselves an incredible asset in Antonio Brown this offseason, and his contributions will go beyond the offensive side of the ball.

The Oakland Raiders biggest offseason acquisition in 2019 has been Antonio Brown, who many consider the best overall wide receiver in the NFL. Coming off six straight 1000-yard/100-reception seasons, Brown will enter the 2019 campaign with a new team for the first time in his NFL career, and will be expected to help an offense that struggled with consistency in 2018.

For the Raiders, the addition of Brown is the crown jewel on a wide receiver group that has been completely revamped this season. Last season, Oakland finished the year with Jordy Nelson, and very little else at the position, but Brown leads a group that includes guys like Tyrell Williams, J.J. Nelson, and Hunter Renfrow this Fall.

While Brown is certain to have an incredibly positive effect on the offense this season, he also should have a solid effect on the defense as well. Early in OTAs, Brown has been working with third-year cornerback Gareon Conley, and the competition will surely bring out the best in a guy who continues to get better every day.

Conley showed towards the end of last season that he has the talent to be one of the elite cornerbacks in the AFC West in 2019. Brown is likely the best wideout he will face this season, and do be able to do it on a daily basis in practice should take his game to the next level as he enters Year 3.

Playing in the AFC West, the Raiders have to go up against two extremely talented quarterbacks twice a season in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, and Los Angeles’ Philip Rivers. In addition, this secondary will take on the likes of Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers outside of the division in 2019, so the addition of Brown will help a secondary that will be tested early and often this season.