PITTSBURGH -- Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, who leads the NFL in catches and receiving yards, has also caught the attention of the player who is still the standard at the position.

Jerry Rice, widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, told Talk of Fame Network that Brown is the best young wide receiver in the game.

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown leads the NFL wth 71 catches for 996 yards. He also has a career-high eight TD catches. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

"He's killing it right now," Rice said. "I had an opportunity to talk to this guy, and he tried to get in my head. He wanted to know my workout regimen and how did I sustain for so many years. I just told him it was all about work ethic and never getting complacent and never getting to a point where you can relax now."

The Steelers don't have to worry about that as they head into Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

Brown's work ethic is becoming legendary around team headquarters, and twice a week during the season he will go to the gym after a full day at the Steelers' facility and work out. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he sometimes has to tell Brown to tone it down a notch in practice so he doesn't wear himself out.

"His work ethic and demeanor and attitude are just unbelievable," Roethlisberger said of Brown.

Those traits have allowed Brown to ascend to the top of his position even though he wasn't drafted until the sixth round in 2010, No. 195 overall.

Brown has 71 catches for 996 yards in nine games, and he has already tied his career high with eight touchdown receptions.

The two-time Pro Bowler set a Steelers season record with 1,499 receiving yards in 2013. Brown is on pace for 1,771 yards this season, and he has already set a Steelers record for most all-purpose yards (6,958) in his first five seasons.

Roethlisberger was asked earlier this week if Brown is the best receiver he has played with in 11 NFL seasons.

"He's up there right at the top of the list," Roethlisberger said. "There have been a lot of great ones, but if you look at what he's done and what he can do, I think it's undeniable to say that he's right there close to the top if not the top."