Marquise Brown signs with the Chiefs: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact
The Kansas City Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls (and three of the last five), quickly building the NFL’s next great dynasty. Like all superior franchises, they’ve taken an aggressive approach to staying on top, whether that’s through trades or free agency. This year, they addressed what many felt was their biggest need by signing free agent wide receiver Marquise Brown to a one-year, $11 million contract. It’s a move that could give Patrick Mahomes the deep weapon he’s longed for since losing Tyreek Hill two years ago. It’s also a signing that affects dynasty values in more than one place. Let’s re-assess some player assessments that have changed based on the deal.
Marquise Brown, WR KC
When the Ravens made Marquise “Hollywood” Brown their first round draft pick in 2019, they felt they had a player who could take the top off a defense and give their offense the dynamic playmaking ability it was lacking. After all, the former Oklahoma Sooner was dominant in his two years in Norman, catching more than 130 passes for over 2,400 yards and scoring a ridiculous 27 times. Even better, his yards per catch average was elite-level, coming in at over 18 yards per reception.
His Baltimore tenure proved to be good but far from dominant. Brown struggled to find his place in a run-first offense at times and simply didn’t put up the kind of numbers many expected. His best season came in his last with the Ravens back in 2021, when he caught 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. While there is plenty of blame that could go around, including the offensive scheme, quarterback play or Brown himself not developing to the point many expected, it just didn’t work out in Baltimore. Brown requested a trade from the Ravens and he was subsequently sent to Arizona in exchange for a first round pick that off-season.
Brown’s time in the desert didn’t end up being any more fruitful as he posted a 67/709/3 line in 12 games in 2022 and just a 51/574/4 campaign last season. Again, the blame can be spread around as Brown battled some nagging injuries, lost Kyler Murray for long stretches and just didn’t seem to be a priority in a sputtering offense at times. The Cardinals are rebuilding and Brown tested the market, finding a new home with the Chiefs, reportedly taking less money in the process in order to play for the ultimate contender.
In Kansas City, Brown enters what looks to be a dream situation. Patrick Mahomes is as good as anyone in the league and Brown should add a missing component to the team. He’s also looking to cash in on what amounts to a contract season again. It’s a very fun signing for dynasty managers as the thought of a true field stretcher being added to Mahomes and the offense of the reigning champions is certainly exciting. However, expectations should be tempered a bit as Kansas City is employing a more conservative attack as of late since building up their defense. Brown is also going to be fighting for targets with Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce moving forward. He is a candidate to be over-drafted but should be able to post WR2 numbers next season now that he has a golden opportunity ahead of him. In short, be careful what you might pay to acquire him as he’s simply not going to be Tyreek Hill. While Brown should be set for a solid bounce-back, a lot of dynasty managers are going to overpay for his services.
Rashee Rice, WR KC
While a lot of other rookies got more attention last year, Rice put together a very solid year. His 79 catches, 938 yards and seven touchdowns took him from a player with an ADP of around 125 all the way into the top 50 by the end of the season. His 8/130/1 playoff debut against Miami solidified it even more. What should give dynasty managers even more hope for him is the target share – Rice had a whopping 56 targets over his last six regular season games. With 33 more in his four playoff games last year, it’s clear he’s earned the trust of his coaches. Brown is only on a one-year deal and Rice looks poised to grow aside Patrick Mahomes for the long-term. While many may look at the signing of Brown as an indictment on the value of Rice, I actually view it as a “buy low” window that just opened.
Justin Watson, Justyn Ross, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, WRs KC
This group is just going to be tough to trust in any capacity. Watson has shown some flashes but never been real priority in the offense. Ross was once a highly touted prospect but never really returned to form after injuries. Moore has also had some moments but never really developed. Toney is, well, a mess at the moment. At this point, it’s going to be a surprise to see him back in Kansas City at all. In the end, there just isn’t much here to get excited about and Brown just bumped them all down a spot on the depth chart.
Patrick Mahomes, QB KC
Does this really do much for him? I think it’s debatable. Mahomes is an elite level player who is going to do what he does. While last season was from his best, he could throw for 5,000 yards and 40+ touchdowns in any given year. The fact is the Chiefs defense has been good enough to create an atmosphere where he doesn’t have to go nuclear each week. The addition of Brown could help but I don’t see it as something that somehow makes or breaks Mahomes. His value is going to decrease as he ages but there are few players better at the position.
Michael Wilson, WR ARI
Wilson was solid as a rookie with 38 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. He currently sits on top of the wide receiver depth chart in Arizona. It’s enticing to make a play for him in dynasty leagues but it seems almost certain the Cardinals add a receiver or two in the draft to re-stock the cupboard. He’s a strong hold at the moment but hardly a buy as his price could be inflated temporarily based on the wide open pre-draft depth chart for the Cardinals.
Kyler Murray, QB ARI
After five up and down seasons, the book is still out on Murray. At times, he looks like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. At other times, he looks rather ordinary. The challenge with him is honestly his health more than anything else. Murray has played in only 33 games the past three seasons. Managers with Murray have to hope the Cardinals use their first round pick on a wide receiver and not on a quarterback (or choosing to trade down and not getting their pick of receivers). Murray has a lot to prove and losing Brown won’t help. This year is going to be huge for his value.
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR OSU
If it didn’t seem pre-ordained before, it sure looks like it is now. Just about everyone expects the Cardinals to take the best receiver on the board in the draft and most believe that’s Harrison. Losing Brown creates even more urgency. This could certainly all change, but all signs point to Harrison landing in the desert. If that happens, he’s going to get targets early and often.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
- Dynasty Fantasy Football 2024 NFL Draft: Veteran Winners and Losers from Day One - April 26, 2024
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: 8-1 - April 25, 2024
- 2024 Rookie Bust Mock Draft (Pre-Draft Edition): Round Three - April 24, 2024
