STRENGTHS
Marquise reminds me a lot of the Colts wide receiver T. Y. Hilton and like T. Y. when he came out in his draft, Marquise is the most dangerous receiver in this draft. He has the speed and quickness to beat double coverage and the high football IQ to adjust his routes against zone coverages. He is very smart and an excellent route runner, setting up corners and safeties to make the big play. He catches the ball on the fly like a center fielder in baseball. His size does not limit his catch radius because of his athletic talent to adjust to the ball in the air no matter where it is thrown. Marquise is not just a speed receiver. He has the strength, speed and lateral burst to gain yardage after the catch and if he is hit in stride on a crossing route you better be prepared to gang tackle him because one player will not stop him from scoring. This kid has franchise written all over him because he can catch the ball anyplace on the field and turn it into a score before you can leave the room on a TV commercial break and get back from a bathroom.
CONCERNS
Marquise talents are not replaceable once he is off the field so, keeping him healthy will be the priority for the team that selects him. His medicals at the combine will be a priority for most teams and will dictate what round most teams will be willing to select him in. That’s the norm for any receiver who lacks the prototypical size for the next level.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.38
Marquise has the type talent that defensive coordinators have to account for on EVERY play. He can break a game wide open on any play. He can gain the needed yardage a team needs for a 1st down…on any play. There is no down and distance that Marquise doesn’t require covering. He can beat double teams over the top, he can settle into zones, catch the ball, and make yards after the catch. He can run any route and his ability to separate is without question. The big question will be, can your quarterback get him the ball on time so that Marquise can stay healthy? Marquise doesn’t drop the deep ball for a touchdown like so many other speed receivers and because he is so adept at running routes and separating, you don’t have to worry about him catching the contested ball either, although he does that easily. In the Red zone his quickness is like a strike of lighting with the thunder of cheers after. They call him Hollywood but I think they should call him Marquise (Lighting) Brown because the defense will have no warning when like a flash of light he strikes and scores but they will hear the thunder of the cheering crowd after because light travels faster than sound.
