NEWSLETTER
One year after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, the Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their receiving corps with the addition of burner Marquise Brown on a one-year, $11 million deal. While not the flashiest name on the free-agent market, Brown injects a much-needed shot of speed into a Chiefs’ offense yearning for explosive plays downfield. Let’s delve into how Brown’s arrival impacts the fantasy football outlook for himself and his fellow Chiefs.
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A Look Back at Marquise Brown the Receiver
The 26-year-old boasts a first-round pedigree (2019, Ravens). His best statistical season came in 2021 with Baltimore, recording a respectable 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns, translating to a WR26 finish in half-PPR per game formats. However, Brown’s 2023 stint with the Cardinals was a forgettable one. He mustered a career-low 574 yards on just 50.4% of his targets, showcasing a significant drop in production. A tumultuous season riddled with injuries and a quarterback change (Kyler Murray missing half the season) certainly didn’t help Brown’s case.
A change of scenery with the reigning Super Bowl champions might be the catalyst Marquise Brown needs to reignite his fantasy value.
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Marquise Brown on the Chiefs
“Hollywood” has been pretty lucky compared to most in the NFL quarterback department as he’s had Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray throwing to him, but he now has Patrick Mahomes under center which is a win-win for both players. The Chiefs previously released Marquez Valdes-Scantling whose role as their outside wide receiver No. 1 was a juicy one, yet he never lived up to expectations. This opens the door for Brown to step into the vacated “deep threat” role formerly occupied by Tyreek Hill. If Marquise Brown and Mahomes develop a quick rapport, fantasy managers could be handsomely rewarded.
While Brown’s arrival is a boon for the Chiefs’ offense, it’s important to consider how it affects the fantasy prospects of Travis Kelce and sophomore wideout Rashee Rice. Mahomes’ ability to distribute the ball effectively is undeniable, but there might be a slight dip in targets for both players. However, this shouldn’t be a major concern. Here’s why:
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Fantasy Impact for Marquise Brown and the Chiefs’ Key Figures
Let’s start with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes’ 2023 season was his worst statistically since becoming the Chiefs’ starter, finishing as QB14 in fantasy points per game (17.5), his only fantasy QB2 finish. A portion of the blame falls on a receiving corps guilty of drops all season long. The 28-year-old is 4for4’s QB4 in our Never-too-Early rankings, and while there isn’t much room to rise post-Brown acquisition positionally, we may see a small spike in ADP.
With the signing, Marquise Brown’s fantasy value is on the rise, as landing in Kansas City with a premier quarterback like Mahomes throwing him the ball presents a golden opportunity. His current ADP reflects a mid-range WR3, but that could change as the season draws near and training camp reveals the chemistry with Mahomes.
Pre-Brown, Rashee Rice was considered a potential fantasy WR1. While a WR2 status seems more likely now, he shouldn’t be completely discounted. Brown’s presence could free him up for more underneath targets, making him a solid WR2 option with upside.
At such a volatile position, Travis Kelce remains the TE2 after Lion Sam LaPorta. While a slight dip in targets is a possibility, his elite talent and connection with Mahomes solidify him as a top-tier TE option regardless of Brown’s addition.
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