What separates great receivers from good receivers? It’s not just speed — even being insanely fast doesn’t automatically translate into NFL success. We’ve seen burners like current Cowboys WR Tavon Austin, who ran a 4.34 40 at the 2013 NFL combine, fail to live up to the hype. What really matters, what really makes the difference at the position, is the ability to understand and master the art of route running. This is especially important for smaller receivers, who can’t use size as a trump card when they’re unable to create separation. For smaller receivers to succeed, they have to have a combination of explosive speed, smooth change-of-direction skills and nuanced route running. The last part is difficult to find, especially in younger receivers, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown of Oklahoma has the potential to excel at it.



Anyone who watched any of Brown’s tape knows he has special speed. He told The Athletic that he...