The Baltimore Ravens were one of the most active teams in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Ravens selected safety Kyle Hamilton at the 14th overall pick. They also traded down from the 23rd to the 25th pick and selected center Tyler Linderbaum. While the talent they added in the draft was notable, the biggest move that was made was trading WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and an additional third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for the 23rd overall pick.
Baltimore selected Brown with the 25th overall pick in the 2019 draft. The Oklahoma product impressed during his three seasons with the Ravens. Hollywood Brown seemingly had a solid relationship with Lamar Jackson and tallied a total of 195 receptions, 2361 yards, and 21 touchdowns with the team. The Ravens will certainly miss the production of Brown, but this move should not be a surprise. Ravens’ General Manager Eric DeCosta revealed Brown had requested a trade at the end of the season and the move was months in the works.
4eva Love For My Ppl In Baltimore But I Had To Do What’s Best For Me 💯
— Hollywood Brown (@Primetime_jet) April 29, 2022
Cardinals-Ravens Marquise Brown Trade Grade
Arizona Cardinals: A-
There has been some growing speculation about the unhappiness of Kyler Murray in Arizona. The Cardinals have done their best to settle these rumors by picking up the QB’s fifth-year option. The trade for Marquise Brown should be looked at as another positive step in this direction as Murray will have the best weapons he has ever had.
Pairing the game-changing pace of Brown with the sure hands of DeAndre Hopkins could produce some exciting results. Zach Ertz will also demand some defensive attention and the making of a dynamic offense is certainly there. The Cardinals have continually upgraded their offense and all the pieces are beginning to be in place. The organization has continually backed Kyler Murray as the starter and it is now his time to shine. Murray may have his complaints about the lack of contract talks, but he should feel confident in the roster that has been built around him.
It feels as if it is becoming a theme around the NFL, but this is somewhat of a make-or-break season for Murray. The 24-year-old guided the franchise to the playoffs last year but could not make it past the opening Wild Card round. The leash may be longer on Murray than on some other QBs around the league, but it is time for him to step up and prove why he is the franchise quarterback moving forward.
Baltimore Ravens: D+
The Ravens franchise was put in a tough position with the trade request from Marquise Brown. The wide receiver has played a major role in the Ravens' offense during the entirety of his young career. While it is respectable to fulfill the player’s wish, it does feel as if the Ravens did not maximize his value. The 24-year-old wideout has a very bright future and will be missed on the team.
With offenses around the NFL continuing to stockpile their weapons, it feels as if the Ravens are going in the opposite direction. As the roster currently stands, Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay will be Baltimore’s top two receivers. Both receivers are 24 years old or younger and have promising futures. However, each lacks the reliability that is expected in a number one receiver target.
Baltimore missed the playoffs last year for the first time in four years. Their focus must be on giving Lamar Jackson the proper team built around him so he can guide the franchise to success. The former MVP has shown some extremely bright flashes during his four years in the NFL. The Ravens will not stray from their identity as a hard-nosed team that prioritizes running the ball. However, upgrading the receivers would be beneficial to Jackson and help unlock his ability even further.
The Ravens added Kyle Hamilton (safety) and Tyler Linderbaum (center) who are both solid prospects. Hamilton is especially intriguing given the versatile role he should be capable of playing. But even with the young talent added, it feels like the Ravens took a step back in the championshipionship direction they hoped to be heading. The offense will be unable to reach the potential that is hoped for it without the proper targets in place for Jackson.
It will be exciting to watch Marquise Brown in the dynamic Cardinals offense this season. He will face more single coverage than he has so far in his career, and Kyler Murray should be looked at as an upgrade in QB play. Expect a big season of production for Hollywood as he proves he is capable of more than he showed in Baltimore.
Agree or disagree with our Cardinals-Ravens trade grade involving Marquise Brown?
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