German-American wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions draws great motivation from his late draft position. He will never forget the 16 receivers in front of him, the 22-year-old said.

Detroit/Munich – Rookie receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions has been one of the positive surprises this season.

In the second half of the season, the German really exploded. Since the Lions’ bye week, St. Brown has 55 catches for 553 yards and four touchdowns. Added to that are 49 rushing yards on six runs and another touchdown.

St. Brown was spurned for a long time in the draft and wasn’t selected by the Lions until the 112th pick in round four. “I want all the coaches who didn’t pick me before to regret that decision,” St. Brown said on Pro Football Focus.”

St. Brown draws motivation from draft

“That’s something I like, when the other coaches see how good I am and at the same time they know they didn’t pick me. I never want them to forget that feeling,” added the wide receiver. He tracks the numbers of his rookie competitors and draws motivation from that.

Sixteen receivers were selected ahead of the 22-year-old in the draft. “I will never forget those 16 receivers ahead of me.” This is always his motivation when he is in danger of sitting back, St. Brown said.

Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals), Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins) and Devonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) were the first three receivers drafted last year. St. Brown knows he’s putting up better numbers than that trio, according to the Pro Football Focus report.

EQ St. Brown’s brother has long since played his way into the focus of other NFL teams.