The Arizona Cardinals finally get a top-tier talent at the receiver position for quarterback Kyler Murray in college star Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Ohio State wide receiver was taken with the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Considered by many as the top wide receiver prospect in a loaded receiver class, the highly touted Buckeye went from C.J. Stroud in 2022 to Kyle McCord in 2023. Despite this change and way more double teams this past year, Harrison Jr. repeated his successes from his sophomore season.
The 6’3″ and 209-pound Biletnikoff winner opted out of the entire pre-draft process basically and is still a top-five pick. Harrison Jr. didn’t participate in the NFL Scouting Combine or Pro Day workouts.
Arizona Cardinals: Draft Marvin Harrison Jr.
The first non-QB is off the board: #Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. heads to Arizona.
Everything as expected, so far … pic.twitter.com/yaOHsxLAsk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 26, 2024
In his junior year, the 21-year-old and son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison had back-to-back over 1,200-yard receiving seasons with over 67 catches in both years as well. Marvin Harrison Jr. was also competing in a loaded receiver group, like Jaxon Smith-Njigba from the 2023 NFL Draft.
His freshman season in 2021 had limited production, but Harrison Jr. still had three touchdowns with the few looks he had. At 19 years old, he was with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, both former first-rounders in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Among the accolades he’s received over the past two seasons, they include Unanimous All-American twice, first-team All-Big Ten twice, Graham–George Offensive Player of the Year, Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year twice, and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award.
Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing returns to call the plays for another year, as the new rookie could be featured in this offense right away as a rookie. Arizona also has another first-round pick, and general manager Monti Ossenfort could move around the draft board like he did in last year’s draft.
Arizona Cardinals: Draft Pick Outlook 4th Overall
https://gty.im/1815263380
After releasing All-Pro veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins last offseason, the Arizona Cardinals have been missing a top target for the Murray-lead offense. Currently, breakout tight end Trey McBride is their number one pass-catching weapon, so the addition of Harrison Jr. will benefit the offense tenfold.
Harrison Jr. has the prototypical size to play on the outside opposite Michael Wilson, but he can also be moved around into the slot at times as well. Earlier this offseason, they traded with the Atlanta Falcons and sent wide receiver Rondale Moore for quarterback Desmond Ridder.
After winning only four games last year and with more draft capital early in this draft, expectations will be high for the Arizona Cardinals. Their needs for the rest of this draft are mostly on the interior of the offensive line. For head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense, the roster has holes on the defensive line, edge rusher, and in the secondary.
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