#14 Marquise Brown Wide Receiver Oklahoma
Marquise Brown is the first wide receiver to appear in the Raider Ramble Draft Top 32 in 32. There certainly are questions around Brown’s injury and that could cause him to slide in the draft, but his time at Oklahoma was more than impressive. The former All-American finished his two-year career with 132 receptions, 2431 yards and 17 touchdowns. I’m not saying he’s there yet, but he reminds me a lot of his cousin and new Raider, Antonio Brown.
Brown is the best pure route runner in the draft, which is a result of his exceptionally quick feet. Brown wins with double moves and stutter steps, which allow him to break free from defenders and constantly find himself wide open. It’s a shame his injury prevented him from running the 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine because he shows great speed on film. The combination of Brown’s route running and speed allows him to be a deep threat and a threat after the catch. Brown’s weakness is his ability to get off press coverage and needs to become more physical in that area. I can see him struggling against bigger and more physical corners. If Brown can utilize his quick feet to beat press coverage, he can become unguardable and force teams to double team him.Â
Fit for the Raiders
Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams are the only two wide receivers on the Raiders’ roster that will enter the season as locks to make the 53-man roster. With that, the competition for the Raiders’ number three slot is wide open. Marcell Ateman, J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant are currently expected to compete for that role, but those players shouldn’t discourage the Raiders from taking Marquise if he falls. I don’t think it would make much sense to use the fourth overall pick on him, but if his injury scares teams away and he’s still on the board at picks 24, 27 or 35, Oakland could definitely take a chance on him.
Draft Projection
Bengals (#11)
Packers (#12)
Redskins (#16)
John Ross has been somewhat disappointing for the Bengals and A.J. Green is entering a contract year. The Bengals watched Antonio Brown tear them up for years and could turn to the younger Brown to be their wide receiver of the future in case Green leaves Cincinnati. Brown excelled in the slot last season and the Packers let wide receiver Randall Cobb walk in the offseason. I can see quarterback Aaron Rodgers pounding the table for Cobb’s replacement and a combination of Davante Adams and Marquise Brown becoming deadly. Similar to the Green Bay, the Redskins’ lost their slot receiver as Jamison Crowder signed with the Jets. Wide receiver Josh Doctson hasn’t proven he can be a number one receiver, so the Redskins would be wise to bring in Brown.
