The Arizona Cardinals entered the season with many around the NFL believing they would hold a firesale to improve their chances of landing Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now that the NFL trade deadline is approaching, wide receiver Marquise Brown is reportedly generating significant interest.
Brown, age 26, is the type of player who is typically floated in NFL trade rumors. Arizona is already at the bottom of the NFL standings and teams in that position usually field calls on players who are in their contract year and might not return the following season.
- Marquise Brown stats 2023: 29 receptions, 334 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
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The Cardinals aren’t close to contending with the NFL’s best teams and Brown would be one of the best wide receivers available. While Arizona might not get as much back as they originally paid for Brown – dealing the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft for Brown and a third-round selection – every draft pick helps.
As far as the rationale for trading a playmaker, there aren’t many high-end wide receivers available at the NFL trade deadline this year. It’s one of the biggest reasons why Brown is generating so much interest right now.
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Arizona has received calls from around the NFL on Brown’s availability, per Dianna Rossini of The Athletic. However, the Cardinals’ front office has indicated it’s not willing to trade its No. 1 wide receiver. Instead, the team believes he’ll be part of the future core.
Re-signing Brown shouldn’t be too big of an issue for the Cardinals. Arizona is currently projected to have $67 million of cap space in 2024 and Brown is easily their best player eligible to hit the open market.
Whether the Cardinals re-sign Brown to a contract extension or place the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, either move would ensure they have a top offensive weapon for their next quarterback in 2024. While that could be Kyler Murray, it’s far more likely to be Drake Maye or Caleb Williams.
- Marquise Brown contract: $13.413 million salary in 2023, 2024 NFL free agent
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As the 2023 NFL season has demonstrated, surrounding talent makes all the difference for a rookie quarterback. Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick, is struggling and the Carolina Panthers are desperately searching for a wide receiver on the trade market to support him. Meanwhile, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year thanks to the help of Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
Furthermore, the Cardinals aren’t in a position where they’re desperate for draft picks. Arizona will have six picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft and that can go a long way towards rebuilding this roster. It should provide the front office with the resources it needs to build around a young quarterback.