Anthony Miller
refer to caption
Miller with the Chicago Bears in 2019
Kansas City Chiefs
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1994-10-09) October 9, 1994 (age 29)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:Christian Brothers
(Memphis, Tennessee)
College:Memphis (2013–2017)
NFL draft:2018 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:140
Receiving yards:1,589
Receiving touchdowns:12
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Anthony Miller (born October 9, 1994) is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis.

Early years

Miller attended Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he played football and ran track for the Purple Wave athletic teams.[1]

College career

Miller joined the University of Memphis football team as a walk-on.[2] He redshirted in 2013 and then again in 2014 due to an injury. In 2015, he played in 12 games and made four starts, recording 47 receptions for 694 yards with five receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. In 2016, Miller started all 13 games and set school records with 95 receptions for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns.[3][1] During his senior season in 2017, he broke Duke Calhoun's school records for career receptions and receiving yards, Carlos Singleton's school record for career receiving touchdowns, and his own outright record for single-season receiving touchdowns and shared record for single-game receiving touchdowns.[4][5]

Collegiate statistics

Year School Conf Class Pos G Receiving Rushing
Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD
2015 Memphis American SO WR 12 47 694 14.8 5 9 54 6.0 2
2016 Memphis American JR WR 13 95 1,434 15.1 14 12 69 5.8 1
2017 Memphis American SR WR 13 96 1,462 15.2 18 10 25 2.5 0
Career Memphis 238 3,590 15.1 37 31 148 4.8 3

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in
(1.81 m) 		201 lb
(91 kg) 		31+5⁄8 in
(0.80 m) 		10+5⁄8 in
(0.27 m)		 4.50 s 1.57 s 2.59 s 4.26 s 6.65 s 39.0 in
(0.99 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[6][7]

Chicago Bears

2018

Miller was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round, 51st overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft.[8] He was the sixth wide receiver to be selected that year.[9]

In his NFL debut against the Green Bay Packers in the season opener, he had two receptions for 14 yards in the 24–23 defeat on NBC Sunday Night Football.[10] In the following game, a 24–17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, he recorded his first professional touchdown reception.[11] The third game of the year against the Arizona Cardinals saw Miller catch four passes for 35 yards, but he left the game early with a dislocated shoulder.[12]

On October 14, caught a 29-yard touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins, his second of the season, in the 31–28 overtime loss.[13] Two weeks later, Miller caught three passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, his third of the season, against the New York Jets.[14] In Week 10 against the Detroit Lions, Miller caught five passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Bears won the game by a score of 34–22.[15]

In Week 13 against the New York Giants, Miller caught the game-tying touchdown pass in regulation on a trick play: quarterback Chase Daniel tossed the ball to tight end Trey Burton, who then tossed it to running back Tarik Cohen, who threw it to Miller for the touchdown. Miller's touchdown sent the game into overtime, tied 27–27. Unfortunately, the Bears lost to the Giants in overtime 30–27 after the Bears failed to convert a fourth down in overtime.[16]

In Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, Miller was ejected after he got in a fight with safety Marcell Harris. Miller attacked Harris after he hit quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as he was sliding to the ground. In addition, fellow Bears wide receiver Josh Bellamy and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman were ejected from the game.[17] Before he was ejected, he had three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. The Bears won the game 14–9.[18]

Miller finished his rookie season with 33 catches for 423 yards and seven touchdowns.[18] His seven touchdowns led the team and were the most by a Bears rookie since Willie Gault had seven in 1983; he also ranked second in the league among rookie receivers behind the Atlanta Falcons' Calvin Ridley.[19] He received an overall grade of 60.6 from Pro Football Focus in 2018, which ranked as the 92nd-highest grade among all qualifying wide receivers.[20]

2019

Miller in the 2019 NFL season

During the Thanksgiving Series against the Lions in Week 13, Miller finished with a career-high nine catches for 140 receiving yards as the Bears won 24–20.[21] In the following week's game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, Miller caught three passes for 42 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the 31–24 win.[22] In Week 15 against the Packers, Miller caught nine passes for 118 yards and a touchdown during the 21–13 loss.[23] Overall, Miller finished the 2019 season with 52 receptions for 656 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[24]

2020

In the 2020 season opener against the Lions, Miller scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:55 remaining on a 27-yard reception from Trubisky; Miller's assignment, a fly route from the right slot receiver position, was the same pattern he ran in the 2019 Thanksgiving game that resulted in a 32-yard catch. Miller ended the 27–23 victory with four catches for 76 yards.[25] In Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, Miller caught a 28-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to help the Bears come back to win the game 30–26.[26] He finished the 2020 season with 49 receptions for 485 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[27] Miller was ejected from the Wild Card Round of the 2020–21 NFL playoffs for hitting New Orleans Saints cornerback C. J. Gardner-Johnson. Miller caught two passes for 22 yards prior to being disqualified from the game.[28]

Houston Texans

On July 26, 2021, Miller was traded to the Houston Texans along with a 2022 seventh-round pick for a 2022 fifth-round pick.[29] He scored his first touchdown as a Texan in Week 3 against the Panthers.[30] He played in two games before being released on October 6, 2021.[31]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On October 12, 2021, Miller was signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.[32] He was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad on November 27, 2021.[33] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 24, 2022.[34]

On August 16, 2022, Miller was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending shoulder injury.[35]

On January 17, 2023, Miller signed a one-year contract extension with the Steelers.[36] He was released on June 20, 2023.[37]

San Francisco 49ers

On August 22, 2023, Miller signed with the 49ers.[38] He was released on August 29, 2023.[39]

Indianapolis Colts

On October 11, 2023, the Indianapolis Colts signed Miller to their practice squad.[40] He was released on October 17, 2023.[41]

Kansas City Chiefs

On January 23, 2024, Miller signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.[42]

Career statistics

Season Team Games Receiving Rushing
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD
2018 CHI 15 4 33 423 12.8 55 7 6 26 4.3 9 0
2019 CHI 16 7 52 656 12.6 35 2 1 −1 −1.0 −1 0
2020 CHI 16 6 49 485 9.9 34 2 2 12 6.0 9 0
2021 HOU 2 1 5 23 4.6 10 1 0 0 0 0 0
PIT 1 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 50 18 140 1,589 11.4 55 12 9 37 4.1 9 0
Playoffs
2018 CHI 1 0 3 34 11.3 23 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2020 CHI 1 1 2 22 11.0 11 0 1 2 2.0 2 0
Total 2 1 5 56 11.2 23 0 1 2 2.0 2 0

References

  1. ^ a b Wade, Don (November 3, 2017). "Anthony Miller: A Great Catch for Memphis". Memphis Daily News. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  2. ^ Schad, Tom (October 14, 2015). "U of M's Anthony Miller goes from walk-on to key WR". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Schad, Tom (March 18, 2017). "Inside Anthony Miller's decision to return to Memphis". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Melo, Justin (November 13, 2017). "Meet Anthony Miller, the walk-on who rewrote the Memphis record books". The Draft Wire. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  5. ^ Calkins, Geoff (October 28, 2017). "Memphis Tigers receiver Anthony Miller is smashing records – and teaching lessons". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  6. ^ "Anthony Miller Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  7. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Scout Anthony Miller College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Mayer, Larry (April 27, 2018). "Bears trade up to select Miller in Round 2". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  10. ^ Kane, Colleen (September 12, 2018). "11 things we heard from Bears assistant coaches about Mitch Trubisky's 'happy feet,' Kyle Fuller's dropped INT and more". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Greer, Jarvis (September 18, 2018). "Anthony Miller scores first NFL touchdown". WMC Action News 5. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  12. ^ Wiltfong Jr., Lester (September 24, 2018). "Bears' Anthony Miller dislocated his shoulder". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  13. ^ Dickerson, Jeff (October 15, 2018). "Bears' Mitchell Trubisky keeps on uptick with sizzling second half". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  14. ^ Mayer, Larry (October 28, 2018). "Bears turn on Jets to snap skid". Chicagobears.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  15. ^ "Bears' Anthony Miller: Explodes for career-best effort". CBSSports.com. November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  16. ^ "Bears halfback Tarik Cohen has career day in loss to Giants". Foxsports.com. Associated Press. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  17. ^ Finley, Patrick (December 23, 2018). "Bears WRs Anthony Miller, Josh Bellamy ejected in fight with 49ers". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Anthony Miller 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  19. ^ Mayer, Larry (February 6, 2019). "Bears 2018 position review: Receiver". Chicago Bears. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  20. ^ "Pro Football Focus: Anthony Miller". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  21. ^ "Trubisky's 3rd TD pass lifts Bears to 24–20 win over Lions". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  22. ^ "Mitchell Trubisky helps Bears beat Cowboys 31–24". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  23. ^ "Jones scores twice, Packers complete season sweep of Bears". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  24. ^ "Anthony Miller 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  25. ^ Finley, Patrick (September 13, 2020). "Bears recycle Thanksgiving play for Anthony Miller TD". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  26. ^ "Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  27. ^ "Anthony Miller 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  28. ^ DeArdo, Bryan (January 11, 2021). "Bears' Anthony Miller ejected during wild-card playoff game vs. Saints after scuffle with C.J. Gardner-Johnson". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  29. ^ Mayer, Larry (July 26, 2021). "Roster Move: Bears trade Miller to Texans". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  30. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans – September 23rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  31. ^ Lane, Mark (October 6, 2021). "Texans to release WR Anthony Miller". Texans Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  32. ^ Bryan, Dave (October 12, 2021). "Report: Steelers Sign WR Anthony Miller, DL Isaiah Mack To Practice Squad". Steelers Depot. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  33. ^ Varley, Teresa (November 27, 2021). "Steelers make moves, place two on IR". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  34. ^ Hartman, Jeff (January 24, 2022). "Steelers sign wide receiver Anthony Miller to a Reserve/Future contract". Behind the Steel Curtain. SB Nation. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  35. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 16, 2022). "Steelers make roster moves on Tuesday". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  36. ^ Varley, Teresa (January 17, 2023). "Miller signed to one-year contract". Steelers.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  37. ^ Varley, Teresa (June 20, 2023). "Steelers sign Kwiatkoski and Sunahara". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  38. ^ "49ers Sign WR Anthony Miller; Waive a Wide Receiver". 49ers.com. August 22, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  39. ^ "49ers Announce Moves for Initial 53-Man Roster". 49ers.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  40. ^ Stankevitz, JJ (October 11, 2023). "Colts place QB Anthony Richardson on injured reserve, sign G Ike Boettger to 53-man roster from practice squad; sign WR Anthony Miller, QB Kellen Mond to practice squad, release WR Juwann Winfree from practice squad". Colts.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  41. ^ "Colts sign WR Juwann Winfree; restore G Jack Anderson to practice squad; sign two players to practice squad; release three players from the practice squad". Colts.com. October 17, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  42. ^ Conner, Matt (January 24, 2024). "Chiefs news: Anthony Miller officially signs futures deal". Arrowhead Addict. Retrieved February 14, 2024.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anthony Miller (wide receiver, born 1994).
2017 College Football All-America Team consensus selections
Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Draft selections
Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII champions
Kansas City Chiefs roster
Categories