Top Ravens draft pick Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is nearing takeoff.
The Ravens have agreed to a deal in principle with the speedy first-round wide receiver, which means the only thing standing in the way of his training camp debut is the final weeks of his rehab.
Baltimore now has only one rookie (third-round wide receiver Miles Boykin) left unsigned.
The Ravens selected Brown with the 25th-overall pick, adding the draft's premier playmaking wide receiver to a revamped offense built around quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore felt opponents could focus too much attention on stopping Jackson at the end of last year. With more speed and Brown's ability to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball, opposing defenses will have more weapons to respect.
"He's a guy that's going to change a game in a blink of an eye," said Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who played with Brown at Oklahoma. "I remember being on the field a couple of times, and we ran one play and it was a touchdown – then I'd get to run off and rest some more. He's a guy like that. He's going to change games."
Now Brown just needs to get on the field. He hurt his foot during the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 1 and it was later revealed that he suffered a Lisfranc injury. He had two screws inserted into his foot and has been rehabbing since.
"We feel really good about his prognosis long-term," General Manager Eric DeCosta said after the draft. "So conservatively, I think training camp we'll have him back. But I think he's at the point now where his rehab is going to be ramped up quite a bit, and he'll be here with some of the best trainers and strength coaches around. I think it's going to be great."
Brown has been in all the Ravens' meetings trying to get up to speed on the mental side of the game, and he often comes out to watch practice.
"It's tough," Brown said after sitting out rookie minicamp. "But at the same time, I have fun taking those mental reps because I kind of have an advantage getting back and being able to watch."
