Former Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise Brown has a few red flags, but he’s one of the most dynamic playmakers in the 2019 NFL Draft class.
Long considered one of the top two receivers in the 2019 NFL Draft, Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown has seen his draft stock slip some in the pre-draft process after a couple of injury concerns raised some red flags.
He wasn’t able to participate in on-field drills at the combine or his pro day due to a Lisfranc injury to his foot that required surgery. Fortunately for draft prognosticators, we already know what Brown can do from seeing plenty of him on tape during the last two years with the Sooners.
Brown managed back-to-back 1000 yard seasons in Norman, benefiting from having consecutive Heisman Trophy winners – and potentially No. 1 overall picks – throwing him the ball. Oklahoma boasted deep receiving corps though, and it’s noteworthy that he was the preferred option of both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
Brown produced 2413 yards and 17 touchdowns over the last two seasons, helping push the Sooners to two consecutive Big 12 championships and back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much of a chance to show out on the big stage in the Orange Bowl against Alabama as a hamstring injury from the conference title game seriously limited his ability to make an impact.
It’s fair to have some questions about Brown as a prospect, but also don’t be surprised if we look back a few years from now miffed at how he was drafted as low as he was. He could very well be the best receiver from this class.
Strengths
Explosiveness. Speed. Run-after-catch. Brown is the total package as a playmaker, and, drafted into the right system, could be a 1000 yard receiver as a rookie.
There’s no greater deep threat in this class than Brown. His style of play fit perfectly into Oklahoma’s offense with a pair of quarterbacks who loved to throw the long ball. If you don’t get your hands on him at the line-of-scrimmage, he’s going to run right past you and be open for a big play down the field.
Brown also has excellent footwork right off the snap, and runs quick, precise routes that make him an almost impossible cover in man-to-man. He’s also a zone buster capable of running right by defenders in zone.
He’s also dynamic with the ball in his hands. If he can find a little crease of space, then he is off to the races. Don’t be surprised if he is utilized as a punt-returner, much like his cousin, All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown, to take full advantage of his explosiveness in the open field.
Put Brown in the right system, ideally a vertical passing offense with a big-armed quarterback capable of chunking it to him down field, and watch him flourish.
Weaknesses
There’s some legitimate concerns about Brown’s ability to stay healthy at the next level due to his lack of size. He measured in just under 5-foot-10 and at just 166 pounds, a number that will need to go up if he’s going to withstand the rigors of NFL contact.
He’s already dealt with nagging injuries in college, from a bum hamstring to the Lisfranc foot injury that can linger.
His lack of size also doesn’t help him in contested catch situations. He didn’t deal with many in college because rarely did he face corners who could keep up with him. While he has game-breaking speed, he’ll be matched up against complex defenses with defensive backs who can match him stride-for-stride.
His catch radius is small and he has struggled at times to secure the ball through contact. If he can work hard in a strength-and-conditioning program to add some functional strength, then he’s likely to improve in that area.
Draft Expectations
Once viewed as a first round lock, Brown is now teetering between a late day one and early day two prospect.
He could still find himself selected in the first round if a team falls in love with his upside and feels that outweighs his red flags. There’s too many other quality receivers who don’t have some of the same concerns as Brown, though, for me to feel confident in his first round potential.
The second round is more likely, and several teams at the top of day two will be intrigued with Brown. The Cardinals pick 33rd, and they could grab Brown to team with potential No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray in a reunion of college teammates.
The Giants, Bills, and Packers could pull the trigger in the top half of round two as well.
Projection: Second Round