At 26 years old, Marquise Brown enters the upcoming fantasy football season with promise and uncertainties. Last season with the Arizona Cardinals, Brown hauled in 67 receptions for 709 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He only played 12 games due to a foot injury sidelining him. These stats placed him as the 30th-best fantasy wide receiver in PPR leagues. In standard scoring, Brown finished 37th among fantasy wide receivers.
Marquise Brown 2023 Fantasy Football Outlook
Favorable Factors
One of the standout positives for Brown’s future is his elevation to the WR1 position within the Cardinals roster. His increased role is a result of the departure of DeAndre Hopkins, who took his talents to the Tennessee Titans. This transition allows Brown to get more opportunities for targets in the offense. In addition, being in a contract year adds an extra layer of motivation for him to establish himself as a reliable WR1 for Arizona.
When DeAndre Hopkins was absent from the lineup, Brown’s performance soared, showcasing his potential without the presence of the former star. In eight games without Hopkins, Brown averaged an impressive 9.6 targets, 6.3 receptions, and 69 receiving yards per game. The way Brown stepped up in Hopkins’ absence underlines his ability to shoulder a heavier load.
However, the dynamics within the Cardinals organization have undergone some changes. The front office that brought Brown in through a substantial draft capital trade has seen the departure of the general manager, Steve Keim, leading to the arrival of Monti Ossenfort as the new GM. Brown’s desire to impress this new management adds another layer of pressure to his performance this season.
Unfavorable Factors
Regarding physical attributes, Brown’s stature at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds doesn’t position him as a towering red zone target; this is evident in his past two seasons’ total touchdown count, which is a modest nine. While this does limit his potential for explosive fantasy numbers, it doesn’t entirely negate his value.
Kyler Murray’s presence at quarterback is pivotal to Brown’s productivity. Murray’s recovery from an ACL injury he sustained in December remains a question mark, leaving uncertainty about when he’ll return. With Colt McCoy likely stepping in as the temporary starter, Brown’s value might dip until Murray is back in action. The possibility of the Cardinals shifting toward a run-heavy approach under new head coach Jonathan Gannon also poses a potential challenge to the upside of their receiving corps. It could limit the number of opportunities Brown and his fellow receivers have to rack up stats.
The Cardinals’ overall performance projection is also a factor to consider. They are only anticipated to win a few games. As a result, the team might opt for a clock-chewing strategy by emphasizing the run game. Running more would lead to fewer possessions, giving them more opportunity to pull off an upset.
Marquise Brown Average Draft Position
The Cardinals have question marks heading into the season, like when exactly Kyler Murray will return and what Gannon’s new offensive scheme will look like. Being the solidified best-receiving option, Brown is one of the only reliable aspects of their offense. Brown should benefit from the lack of target competition, especially when Murray returns.
The question marks surrounding Brown seem to be baked into his ADP – he’s currently being drafted as WR 31 on ESPN. His ADP appears to be right around where Brown should be going – he’s not great value, but also not someone to avoid. If you are nearing the middle round of your drafts and need to target a WR, Brown is a reasonable choice to help bolster your roster as a flex option.
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale – USA Today Sports
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