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Redskins: 2019 NFL Draft top 20 wide receiver big board

By Jacob Camenker

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 30: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels pulls in this reception against Anthony Averett #28 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 30: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels pulls in this reception against Anthony Averett #28 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 06: Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 06: Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Marquise Brown is an interesting evaluation. Nicknamed Hollywood, Brown is one of the fastest receivers in this draft class. He was Kyler Murray’s top weapon at Oklahoma and consistently made game-breaking plays. There was a time when some thought he would be the first receiver off the board. But, that has changed in recent months.

The issues with Brown began when he suffered a Lisfranc injury in the pre-draft process. In his final games at Oklahoma, Brown was dealing with the foot problem, and it slowed him down quite a bit. It took away his game-breaking speed and made him much less of a factor in the Oklahoma offense.

While this was happening, some of Brown’s other deficiencies became apparent. Brown doesn’t have particularly good ball skills, so he won’t be able to make many contested catches at the next level. Few would expect him to do that anyway, but it means that he will have to consistently win as a route runner and with speed in order to become a solid option at the NFL level.

Brown is on the small at 5-10, but his weight is the bigger concern. He was only listed at 168 pounds at Oklahoma, which is extremely light for a wide receiver. He will need to bulk up if he wants to avoid continually getting hurt, which should be doable. But, he may not be able to play a full season until he does that.

Despite all of the negatives, Brown is still a burner that could be a real difference maker for an NFL team. His skill set is reminiscent of T.Y. Hilton’s, and if he bulks up and becomes a strong route runner, he could emerge as a No. 1 receiver. Not many receivers in this class have that type of upside.

And if Brown hadn’t got hurt and performed in the combine, I imagine he would have done a lot to improve his stock at that event. He’s just so explosive and if he can stay healthy, he could be a perfect speed threat who can be paired with a possession-based receiver.

Brown is probably going to go in the second round, but don’t discount the possibility of a team taking him in the late first round. He has speed, production, and an intriguing skill set. In a class that is top-light on talent, he could be a nice bargain for whatever team ends up with him.

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