John Brown's Updated 2014 Fantasy Outlook Heading into Week 9

While not a guarantee to break out each and every week, John Brown made his case as both a fantasy playmaker and a clutch team performer with an incredible Week 8 performance.

The Arizona Cardinals rookie was the star in his team's 24-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, catching the game-winning 75-yard catch with minutes left. He finished with five catches for 119 yards and the touchdown—his fourth for the year and his career.

Many fantasy GMs may be somewhat frustrated in hindsight, as Brown followed up a two-touchdown breakout performance in Week 4 with a combined 87 yards and no scores in the next three contests. Right when Brown was flying off of fantasy rosters, he emerged with his best performance yet.

The rookie is only owned in 2.5 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, but that will change fast with his expanded role in the offense being validated by a big-time game in Week 8.

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Brown has shown the potential to be perhaps the Cardinals' top target outside of Larry Fitzgerald ever since his Week 4 breakout, being targeted at least five times in each of the past three games The Cardinals led comfortably for most of those games ,but on the ropes against the Eagles, Brown was a main factor, and that resonates well moving forward.

He's far from a one-hit wonder, emerging as one of Carson Palmer's main targets as of late, per Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus:

The Cardinals figure to be in a couple of tight contests upcoming, facing Dallas, St. Louis, Detroit and Seattle in the next four games. That means Brown—who has dazzled in most of the biggest games—will be looked to again for big plays.

Justin Higdon of DraftBrowns.com is one of many fantasy analysts knocking himself for overlooking Brown:

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report noticed Brown was a big part of Arizona's offense, even before his late touchdown:

Although every sign points to Brown continuing his upward trend, it is worth noting that a vast majority of his fantasy points in the past four weeks came on one play—the long touchdown against the Eagles. That can leave fantasy GMs hesitant to act.

Matchup	Targets	Catches	Yards	TD
Week 4: vs. 49ers	6	4	52	2
Week 5: at Broncos	7	2	4	0
Week 6: vs. Redskins	6	4	43	0
Week 7: at Raiders	5	2	41	0
Week 8: vs. Eagles	10	5	119	1

But a closer look into Brown's consistent touches over the last few games and his impact on the offense in close games shows he's more than worth the risk.

The Cowboys have fared much, much better than anyone expected against the pass, ranking 11th in the league, but even amid this win streak, their cornerbacks have proven their vulnerability. Brown should be looked to early and often by Palmer, with his speed capable of getting behind Dallas defenders—plus, the Cowboys will be on a short week. 

It takes time for young receivers to build the trust of their quarterbacks, but Brown certainly validated the growing trust from his quarterback with a big play against Philadelphia. The veteran Palmer won't be shy in giving it to the hot hand some more.

Although Brown hasn't solidified his status as an every-week flex starter just yet, a few more games like Week 8 will get him there. With six teams facing a bye for Week 9, the rookie will get forced into a starting role in plenty of leagues, and rightfully so.

But if he's available on waivers and you're toying over picking him up, just watch his 75-yard touchdown on Sunday once more and you'll have your answer.

Stats via Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.