Ravens News 4/26: Grading the selection of Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown and more

Grading the First Round of the 2019 NFL Draft - Danny Kelly

25. Baltimore Ravens (from Philadelphia): WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma

The Ravens absolutely had to bolster their barren receiving corps, and they did just that, grabbing my top-ranked receiver after trading back from the 22nd spot. I love this pick, and it’s one I projected in my final mock draft: Brown has elite, take-the-top-off-a-defense-type speed that could not only benefit Lamar Jackson’s deep-passing efficiency, but also help Baltimore’s run game by giving opposing coordinators pause about dropping eight men in the box. Smart pick, super value.

GRADE: A+

Live analysis of the 2019 NFL Draft - Pro Football Focus

Baltimore Ravens (via Philadelphia) – WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma

The Ravens have made all sorts of moves to bolster the running attack in a passing league, but with the first pick in the post-Ozzie-Newsome era will be a WR in Oklahoma’s “Hollywood” Brown. Legit deep speed with some question marks at making contested catches downfield, the Ravens hope to allow Brown to just get open for Lamar Jackson.

7th overall grade among WR

6th receiving grade among WR

4th yards per route run among WR (3.56)

5th deep pass yards among WR (592)

2019 NFL Draft: Day 1 quick-snap grades for all 32 teams - Chad Reuter

Baltimore Ravens

Draft pick: Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown (No. 25 overall)

Day 1 grade: A

Draft analysis: Multiple NFL general managers told me they would have a hard time picking Brown, a 166-pound receiver, in the first round. Sure, he lacks size, but his talent reminds me of DeSean Jackson, who was also under 170 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine when he came out. If Brown has that sort of career, the Ravens will have done well. Plus, they gained two Day 3 picks (Nos. 127 and 197) by trading down three spots in a deal with the Eagles and still selecting the guy they likely wanted at No. 22.

NFL Draft Round 1 takeaways: Giants pick Daniel Jones much too early, Broncos get Flacco weapon in Noah Fant - Chris Trapasso

Ravens get Lamar Jackson much-needed speed threat in Marquise Brown

We waited long enough for a receiver to go off the board, and Marquise Brown became the first. He and Lamar Jackson on the field together should be downright terrifying for defensive coordinators and secondary members in the NFL not currently employed by the Baltimore Ravens.

Brown is tiny. But he’s a game-breaking speedster who showcased nuanced route-running skills and insane acceleration with the ball in his hands. If he can stay healthy at the next level, he can be the ideal complement to Baltimore’s run-heavy offense.

Ravens Added The Playmaker They Needed - John Eisenberg

In the weeks leading up to the draft, I made it clear that I’d be fine with them taking a lineman with their first pick. But I’m not about to quibble with their selection of Marquise (Hollywood) Brown, a receiver from Oklahoma.

“He can run a deep route. He can run an underneath route. He’s electric. He’s a playmaker. He’s going to be an asset for this offense,” DeCosta said late Thursday night.

In the end, it seems the Ravens didn’t ponder the “bulk up or speed up” quandary for long. Going with a receiver was the “obvious” choice, DeCosta said, and the deciding factor among the team’s decisionmakers was the memory of how hard it was for the offense to score touchdowns once Jackson replaced Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback last November

Day 2 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Drew Lock, DK Metcalf and Will Grier Land? - Conor Orr

85. Baltimore: Anthony Nelson, EDGE, Iowa A sturdy, crafty edge rusher would help with the Ravens’ defensive rebuild.

102. Baltimore: Michael Jordan, C/G, Ohio State

The interior line help Baltimore has been looking for shares a name with a former Washington Wizards and Birmingham Barons great.