TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals traded their first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday in exchange for wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and the 100th pick in the draft.
The move reunites Brown and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who played together at Oklahoma in 2017 and 2018. Both players were drafted in 2019, with Murray going first overall to the Cardinals and Brown going 25th overall. In 2018, when Murray was the Sooners’ starter and won the Heisman Trophy, Brown had 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns on 75 catches.
Brown, 24, was productive but inconsistent in his three seasons with the Ravens. He totaled 195 receptions for 2,361 yards and 21 touchdown catches. He’s coming off a career-best season in which he had a highs of 91 receptions and 1,008 yards.
The Cardinals lost one of their starting receivers, Christian Kirk, in free agency, making the position a priority in this year’s draft.
Last season, Brown became the first Baltimore wide receiver to surpass 1,000 yards receiving since Mike Wallace did so five years ago. But Brown finished with more dropped passes (seven) than touchdown catches (six).
Last month, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scoffed at a suggestion on social media that the Kansas City Chiefs should trade for Brown.
“Excuse my French real quick sir … But HELL NAW!” Jackson responded on Twitter in March.
Brown tweeted a goodbye to Jackson on Thursday night, writing: “Wish I coulda played with my brotha forever but ima see you at the top @Lj_era8.”
Wish I coulda played with my brotha forever but ima see you at the top @Lj_era8 🤞🏿💯
— Hollywood Brown (@Primetime_jet) April 29, 2022
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said after the season that the team would pick up Brown’s $13.4 million option, but Baltimore never officially did.
With Brown traded, the Ravens’ top wide receivers are Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace. So, wide receiver becomes a need for Baltimore.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.