As wide receivers are being used and relied on more and more in the NFL, players like Marvin Harrison Jr. are beginning to become as essential and important as what running backs used to be back in the wishbone offense era of football.
There used to be a time where receivers were good to have, but having a particular receiver was less important than having a great quarterback. However, as the league has moved to being more sideline to sideline, having receivers that can get open in any kind of route or formation is now essential. Every year there are a few great receivers that come into the league, but rarely are they picked up as early as Marvin Harrison Jr. was in the first round of the NFL Draft when he was picked as the fourth overall pick, and the first non quarterback.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Will Be Expected To Be a Star Day One
In a Draft that was very QB heavy, and in many ways the “safe pick”, the Arizona Cardinals took a chance and took Harrison Jr. fourth overall. For him, he will be expected to be the main outside weapon on the team when the season starts in September.
Last year for Ohio State had 1,211 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, and 18.1 yards per reception. If Harrison can put up a stat line that even somewhat resembles his college numbers, the Cardinals will be in a great spot, and in a position to likely make the Playoffs.
Marvin Harrison Jr. 1 of 13 Players To Attend Draft
Ever since Covid forced players to miss out on attending the NFL Draft, more and more players have opted to staying home with friends and family opposed to sitting in the ‘green room’ waiting for their name to be called.
It is also possible that following Will Levis’ situation last year where he sat through the entire first round without getting drafted. Throughout the night, the storyline and cameras continue to focus more on Levis, and in many ways, became of the story of the late part of the 1st round.
This year, only 13 players decided to opt-in to attend the NFL Draft, and Marvin Harrison Jr. was one of them. In fact, he was the fourth player to walk onto the stage and shake Roger Goodell’s hand and take the iconic draft photo on the stage.
The players that opted to attend the draft include the following:
- Caleb Williams
- Jayden Daniels
- Drake Maye
- Terrion Arnold
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- JC Latham
- Laiatu Latu
- Quinyon Mitchell
- Malik Nabers
- Brian Thomas Jr.
- Rome Odunze
- Darius Robinson
- Dallas Turner
Of the players did not attend, the most interesting is J.J. McCarthy, who played for Michigan, just down the road from where the 2024 NFL Draft is taking place. Other players who did not attend include Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. For reference, in 2022 there were 22 players and last year there were 17. If the number drops below 10, one has to wonder whether the NFL Draft would change their format in any way.
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