The New York Jets have made headlines over the last week, releasing the likes of wide receiver Brandon Marshall, corner Darrelle Revis, and offensive lineman Nick Mangold. It’s no secret that the Oakland Raiders could use another wide receiver, should they give Brandon Marshall a look?
Brandon Marshall Isn’t a Fit for the Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have the best receiving duo in the NFL, but they don’t necessarily have the best receiving corps. Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper are great, but Seth Roberts and Andre Holmes are wildly inconsistent. Johnny Holton is a burner, but he’s not very consistent as a receiver.
People have discussed DeSean Jackson and even Ryan Switzer as off-season additions to the corps, but why not Brandon Marshall? After all, he’s had a very productive career so far.
Statline
Over the last 11 years, Marshall has had eight 1,000 yard seasons, six 100 catch seasons, and four seasons with double digit touchdowns. Marshall averages 86 catches a season, if he were to maintain that pace for just two more years, he could pass the likes of Marvin Harrison and Cris Carter on the all-time list.
Marshall is a tall, physical receiver. So should the Raiders give him a chance? The answer is simple. No. And here’s why.
Drops
Nobody in the NFL has dropped more passes over the last two seasons than Brandon Marshall with 18. Even Michael Crabtree, a Raider known to drop the occasional pass, has dropped fewer passes over that time period. Derek Carr needs more reliable receivers, not another guy with a case of butterfingers.
Where Does He Fit?
Where does Brandon Marshall fit on the Oakland Raiders offense? Amari Cooper is the team’s number one receiver, and unless Calvin Johnson comes out of retirement or the Atlanta Falcons decide to trade Julio Jones, it’s going to stay that way.
Michael Crabtree has already reached his ceiling, but he might be better than Marshall at this point. He’s younger, faster, and slightly more consistent catching the ball. Plus, if Crabtree is going to earn his contract, he has to have a bigger role than slot receiver.
This would mean that Brandon Marshall would step onto the team as a slot receiver. Is Brandon Marshall really the guy you want in the slot? No. He’s far too big and not quick enough. Marshall would be better suited somewhere like New England, where he can stay out wide and the offense doesn’t have to rely on him. Plus, the Patriots have players like Julian Edelman that can easily rotate into the slot.
In Summation
This is a knee-jerk reaction to a well-known player hitting free agency. The Oakland Raiders are one or two decent players away from being legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and getting a big name veteran could go a long way. However, Brandon Marshall is not that big name veteran.
