PlayerProfiler is home to the very best dynasty rankings and tools in the industry. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. This is PlayerProfiler’s 2024 Free Agency Preview. This year, we’ll be providing you with player-by-player insights as we approach the free agency period opening March 13th. In the last edition, we broke down the free agency outlook for Derrick Henry. Marquise Brown‘s contract is up this offseason and we’ll continue this series by examining the potential landing spots and outlook for the Cardinals’ wide receiver.
2023 Review
2023 was yet another disappointing season for Marquise Brown. The veteran clocked his fourth season under 1,000 receiving yards in his five-year career, once again missing multiple games due to injury. Brown injured his heel one week after the return of Kyler Murray, with no time to recapture their in-game chemistry and effectively ending his season.
Marquise Brown scores against his former team
📺: #BALvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/Sp4lrphCYI— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
Brown was still the target hog we know and love, however, providing his fourth straight season above a 20-percent Target Share. He’s now also seen at least 20 Deep Targets in four straight seasons. Unfortunately, the opportunity failed to yield sustained production.
The only saving grace to Brown’s season was his 15.3 (No. 28) Expected Fantasy Points Per Game. Brown was delivered the ball often and in fantasy-friendly situations. Subpar quarterback play and the heel injury limited him from capitalizing on the opportunities. Given the limiting external factors, I’m willing to write off the 2023 season.
Most Likely Landing Spots
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals can pay off most of Brown’s expected $15 million salary with the additional $13 million every team received towards their salary cap this offseason. Now working with over $50 million in total, the Cardinals are essentially playing with house money.
Don’t let a season ruined by injury and bad quarterback play distract you from the fact that Brown averaged 18.3 fantasy points per game as Kyler Murray’s WR1 in 2022. Hollywood is still more than capable of providing upper-tier production. Whether or not the Cardinals draft Marvin Harrison, Jr., they have plenty of money to bring Brown back.
Jacksonville Jaguars
While reports currently indicate that the Jaguars intend to bring back Calvin Ridley, the cost to make that work is simply too high. Instead of paying $20 million and a second round pick to secure Ridley, why not spend just $15 million on Brown?
It’s more likely Jacksonville tries their hand in the Draft, but Brown would be a notable option if they opted to bring in another veteran. He isn’t the bona fide Alpha that you’d prefer to captain Jacksonville’s receiving corps. However, his reliability as a pass catcher and big play ability will mesh well with the talents of Trevor Lawrence.
Tennessee Titans
Brown and DeAndre Hopkins were an elite tandem in Arizona. Why not reunite them in Tennessee? Rookie quarterback Will Levis put his cannon on display last season. While he and Hopkins established a solid connection, it’s clear this team needs a solid No. 2 to take some pressure off the future Hall of Famer.
Given that the Titans are likely not in a competitive spot for a few years (at least), it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pair their young quarterback with another veteran who won’t be a part of the team’s future. It’s more likely they acquire supplements through the draft, but teams don’t always do what’s in their best interest.
Kansas City Chiefs
No receiver makes more sense as a free agent signing for Kansas City than Brown. Coming off a Super Bowl victory, the Chiefs have a rare opportunity to up-level their passing attack without sacrificing the rest of their roster.
The Chiefs could opt to draft a receiver, but the certainty of Brown makes sense for a Super Bowl winning roster. Kansas City is looking to add another Lombardi to their collection. There’s no room for missing on draft picks. The Chiefs will struggle to keep winning with subpar talent, especially as Travis Kelce continues to age.
Predicted Landing Spot
I expect the Jaguars and the Titans to address their needs through the Draft this season. I also anticipate the Arizona Cardinals to draft Marvin Harrison, Jr. with their first round pick. That being said, I expect them to pursue Brown in negotiations as well.
It’s a matter of money vs winning for Brown. The Cardinals have far more money to offer Hollywood, but the Chiefs offer the glory. Still looking to fully prove himself going into his age 27 season, I think the veteran will opt to catch passes from Patrick Mahomes and compete for a Super Bowl.
Read Matt Babich’s Free Agent Outlook for Calvin Ridley here: Calvin Ridley Free Agency Watch: Landing Spots and Free Agency Outlook
