Brandon Marshall

After a monster 2015, Marshall had a down year, in part due to a nagging foot injury, but mostly because the Jets' offense fell apart. Marshall finished with 6.2 YPT (38th) and had only one catch for 40-plus yards on 128 targets. At 6-4, 230 and with 4.52 speed, Marshall is one of the most physical receivers in the league, able to body up defensive backs in the red zone and catch touchdowns in traffic. At 33, he's likely lost a step, but he needs less separation than most wideouts to make a play. Marshall signed with the Giants this offseason, where he will start opposite Odell Beckham. Marshall's size should net him his share of red-zone targets, but with Beckham commanding an outsized share and second-year man Sterling Shepard in the mix, Marshall's upside is limited -- barring an unexpected huge year from a declining Eli Manning.

It's almost inconceivable Marshall, coming off an injury-plagued season in Chicago, would have a career year at age 31 with the Jets, of all teams. Setting aside the yards (4th) and scores (T-1st), Marshall had the most efficient campaign of his career with 8.7 YPT (12th), and he hauled in a career-high five passes of 40-plus yards. At 6-4, 230, Marshall is one of the biggest and most physical WRs, and he runs well for his size-4.52 40. Marshall used his large frame to get 25 RZ targets (3rd), 11 inside the 10 (T-7th). The biggest issue facing him is at QB. Last years starter, Ryan Fitzpatrick, is unsigned at press time, leaving Geno Smith and rookie Christian Hackenberg. Perhaps Marshall can click with one the way he did Fitzpatrick, who was a journeyman after all, but Fitzpatrick had some competent seasons, something the Jets' duo lacks. Moreover, like last year, Marshall will split red-zone looks with Eric Decker (29, T-1st) — not a problem with the Jets regularly visiting the area, but opportunities could be more scarce. Still, with Devin Smith rehabbing from an ACL tear, the Jets have little depth, so Marshall shouldn't lack volume. He turned 32 in March, and WRs tend to decline rapidly in their early 30s. Marshall might be an exception, however, because his game relies more on size and power than quickness or long speed.

A perennial 140-target, prototypical No. 1 receiver, Marshall missed three games with an ankle injury last year and hobbled through several more. The result was his first sub-80-catch, 1,000-yard season since his rookie year in 2006. The Bears shipped the 31-year old to the Jets during the offseason, and he'll line up opposite Eric Decker and likely catch passes from some combination of journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick and third-year quarterback Geno Smith. While that setup sounds less than ideal, the duo isn't likely to be much worse than the current incarnation of Jay Cutler, and a healthy Marshall should command his fair share of targets in new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system, particularly in the red zone. At 6-4, 230, Marshall is a massive target, who's fast enough (4.52 40) to make plays, given his strength and catch radius, though he'll have legitimate competition for end-zone targets in Decker who's 6-3, 214.

For the second straight season Marshall got his counting stats, but on a per-play basis, his performance was more modest. He averaged only 7.9 YPT (19th) and 13.0 YPC (22nd), far less than teammate Alshon Jeffery on both counts. Moreover, though Marshall saw 15 more targets, Jeffery had twice as many catches of 40-plus yards (6 to 3) and more 20-yard receptions (19 to 15). In Marshall’s defense, being the top dog entails more defensive attention, and that designation could shift somewhat now that Jeffery’s established himself as the team’s primary downfield weapon. At 6-4, 230 and with 4.52 speed, Marshall has the size/speed combo possessed by most of the league’s elite playmakers. Marshall also sees plenty of work near the goal line, and he excelled in that area, catching nine of his 12 scores from inside the red zone. In fact, while Jeffery did more damage from deep, he was less efficient than Marshall from in close, catching only three of his targets there for scores. Marshall turned 30 in March, and that’s the age when receivers start to slow/break down, but he hasn’t missed a game since 2010, and he’s missed only five in his eight-year career. Even with a younger, more dynamic receiver in the fold, Marshall is the favorite to lead the team in targets, and with Marc Trestman overseeing the offense, Marshall’s floor is among the highest at the position.

No one's going to complain about the production, but Marshall was mostly a volume player last season. He averaged a pedestrian 12.8 YPC (27th among the league's 39 100-target WR) and 7.8 YPT (20th). But he saw a whopping 194 targets, a number that would easily lead the league most seasons. As a result, he was the league's No. 2 fantasy wideout. At 6-4, 230, Marshall has decent speed and the agility of a smaller receiver, but he didn't make an inordinate number of downfield plays, finishing with 18 catches of 20-plus (T-7th) and only two receptions of 40 or more yards. Marshall saw 18 red-zone looks (T-12th), and while he converted eight for scores (44% – only James Jones and Eric Decker had better rates among players with 15-plus looks), the Bears simply didn't throw very often near the goal line (Jay Cutler's 50 red-zone attempts ranked 25th, behind players like Brandon Weeden, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Michael Vick). That said, Marshall had a higher percentage of his team's targets than anyone in the league, and it's likely Cutler will lock in on him again for 150-plus in 2013. While Alshon Jeffery should have a bigger role, and Earl Bennett – if he can ever stay healthy – will be in the mix, neither is a threat to Marshall's status as top dog in the Chicago passing game. Moreover, new coach Marc Trestman and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer (formerly of the Saints) plan to install a faster-paced offense, so there should be more targets to go around.

Marshall’s numbers improved across the board last year for the Dolphins, but given his volatile personal life and exorbitant contract, they dealt him to the Bears this offseason for a pair of third-round picks. At 6-4, 230, with good speed and the agility of a much smaller receiver, Marshall is a physical mismatch for most defensive backs. Even with Chad Henne and Matt Moore under center, Marshall managed 15.0 yards per catch, 8.6 yards per target and four catches of 40-plus yards. Marshall’s season could have been even better were it not for his 12 drops (tied for 2nd). In Chicago Marshall’s paired with former teammate Jay Cutler, who’s actually been an efficient quarterback for the Bears despite playing with below-average receivers and frequently running for his life. With no top-tier competition for looks either from the receiving corps or the tight end position, Marshall could vie with Roddy White and Calvin Johnson for the league lead in targets – assuming his off-field problems don’t land him in jail or worse. On that note, Marshall was accused of punching a woman in the face at a nightclub in March. At press time, it doesn’t look like this will affect his status for the season as the evidence in the case is spotty, but it’s a reminder of the added risk drafting Marshall entails.

Who knew Kyle Orton was that good? Or perhaps Chad Henne was just that bad. In any event, after becoming the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, Marshall was an unmitigated bust. He averaged just 7.0 yards per target (24th of 31 100-target receivers), and despite 13 inside-the-10 targets, scored only three touchdowns. Marshall had just nine catches of 20-plus yards all year on 146 targets, one fewer than the 10 from 40-plus Mike Wallace had despite missing his starting quarterback for the first quarter of the year. Of course, Marshall wasn't alone in his struggles with Henne – teammate Davone Bess managed just 6.6 YPT, too. At 6-4, 230 and with good downfield speed, Marshall's one of the most physically gifted receivers in the league, and he's still just 27 years old – a prime age for a wideout. And his enormous contract guarantees him plenty of targets, so long as he can remain on the field. But unless Henne develops, or the Dolphins bring in a veteran to ensure some bare minimum of competence at the quarterback position, Marshall's playing into a headwind. Quarterback, however, isn't the only area of instability in Marshall's life. After having run-ins with coaches and the law in Denver, at press time, Marshall is recovering from a stab wound to the stomach, discourtesy of his wife. While he's expected to be physically fine for training camp, one can only speculate as to how that relationship will affect him during the upcoming season.

Marshall’s drama with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels came to an end this spring when Denver shipped him to Miami for draft picks. Marshall promptly signed a $50 million deal with $24 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid receiver in NFL history. Whether the Dolphins investment proves wise depends first and foremost on Marshall’s behavior — he’s been suspended twice, once for dogging it in practice due to unhappiness with his contract (no longer an issue) and also for a drunk driving arrest and domestic abuse allegation. Be that as it may, at 6-4, 230, and with good downfield speed, Marshall is one of the most gifted receivers in the NFL. Marshall uses his big body effectively to screen defenders from the ball and has the size and leaping ability to go up over top of them. Marshall didn’t make a lot of big plays in the Broncos dink-and-dunk offense last year — just 11 receptions of 20 yards or more — on 154 targets (5th). But that had more to do with Kyle Orton’s limitations and the team’s style of offense. In Miami, Marshall will be paired with the big-armed Chad Henne on a Dolphins team that’s been willing to try unconventional schemes like the Wildcat to make optimal use of its personnel. In short, we’d be surprised if the team paid Marshall all that money and didn’t look to him both for big plays down field and production in the red zone. Of some concern is Marshall’s right hip surgery in early May — he had surgery on the opposite hip last offseason — and his status for the start of training camp is in some doubt. While Marshall is expected to be 100 percent before the start of the season, the injury is likely to cost him some valuable practice time with Henne.

After tying for the league lead with 170 targets in 2007, Marshall easily outpaced the field in 2008 with 181 – despite missing Week 1 due to a league-imposed suspension. But whether it was a nagging hip injury (for which he subsequently had surgery), or merely a loss of focus (he was third in the league with 12 drops), Marshall, who opened the year with an 18-catch game, two games of 155 or more receiving yards and three straight with a touchdown, only had one 100-yard game and three touchdowns over the season’s final 12 weeks. As a result, his per-play numbers were below average – just 7.0 yards per target and 12.2 yards per catch. At 6-4, 230, Marshall has excellent size and good speed, making him a tough cover for defensive backs, and he’s hard to bring down in the open field once he catches the ball. Nonetheless, Marshall wasn’t targeted very far down the field – his 16 catches of 20 yards or more tied him for ninth, but remember he was the most heavily targeted receiver in the league, so he had far more opportunities than any other receiver. And he had just one catch of 40 yards or more. While Marshall was third in red-zone targets with 26, he was tied for 10th in targets inside the 10 and had no looks around the goal line. So Marshall’s modest conversion rate (only five scores in the red zone) doesn’t reflect his abilities. In other words, there’s a good chance Josh McDaniels – who targeted Randy Moss frequently inside the red zone for the last two seasons – will call Marshall’s number there, too in 2009. Of course, like Eddie Royal, Marshall will be playing with Kyle Orton rather than Jay Cutler, but considering how infrequently either player ran deeper routes, the downgrade in arm strength might not be all that damaging to their production. At press time, Marshall is rehabbing from the aforementoned hip surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery by the time training camp opens.

With Javon Walker hurt most of the season (and subsequently released), Marshall was the undisputed No. 1 receiver for the Broncos last year, and in fact he tied for the NFL lead in targets with 170. Marshall's performance - 13 yards per catch, 7.8 yards per target, seven touchdowns - wasn't overwhelming, but for a second-year receiver developing alongside a second-year signal-caller, Marshall showed plenty of promise. At 6-4, 230, and with good speed, Marshall is a match-up problem for most defensive backs, as he's able to outreach and outmuscle them for the ball and break tackles after the catch. Marshall's got soft hands and is also willing to go over the middle and make a play in traffic. Marshall has ideal red-zone size, and his 24 red-zone looks tied him with Reggie Wayne for sixth, five of which he converted for scores. Heading into his third year as strong-armed Jay Cutler's No. 1 option, there's still plenty of room for growth. It's worth noting Marshall suffered right forearm lacerations to one artery, one vein, one nerve, two tendons and three muscles in a bizarre accident while on vacation last March. He was able to run routes at the team's quarterbacks camp in May and is likely to be healthy for the start of training camp.

With Rod Smith turning 37 this spring and Brandon Stokley brought in to man the slot, Marshall is likely to begin the season starting opposite Javon Walker and catching passes from the strong-armed Jay Cutler. At 6-4, 229, Marshall has plenty of size, good leaping ability and the toughness to mix it up with defensive backs and linebackers in the middle of the field. Marshall showed a good rapport with Cutler down the stretch last season and could develop into a reliable red zone target.

Marshall, a fourth-round pick, was impressive during offseason workouts, but will have some work to do to find playing time. He is big, strong, and fast, and at one time coach Mike Shanahan was considering moving him to tight end. Marshall, however, was lined up at receiver for the entire offseason, and now is considered the frontrunner to win the Broncos' third receiver spot in Ashley Lelie's abscence.