Ohio State Buckeyes standout Marvin Harrison Jr. is believed to have Hall of Fame upside, and could be the first non-quarterback chosen when the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway in April.
Pro Football Focus projects the Arizona Cardinals as Harrison’s perfect destination in the draft.
“The Cardinals need an alpha WR1 type,” Trevor Sikkema writes for PFF. “And Harrison is the perfect player to fill that role.”
Harrison Jr. certainly has the frame, skill-set, and pedigree to be a top of the depth chart receiver upon arrival, for most teams across the NFL, and that’s undoubtedly the case with the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the 2024 season.
During his three seasons in Columbus, Harrison Jr. pulled down 155 receptions for 2,613 yards with 31 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 16.9 yards per reception.
Even against some of the stingiest defenses in the nation, Harrison Jr. repeatedly showed the ability to be the kind of legitimate difference-maker who can alter the outcome of games. That’s the exact kind of talent the Cardinals need to continue building out the offense around mobile quarterback Kyler Murray.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Scouting Report
There’s a chance that Harrison Jr. could arrive in the NFL and become one of the premier wide receivers in the entire league as a rookie.
Harrison Jr. tracks the ball exceptionally well, makes his share of contested catches, and has the speed to stretch the field vertically.
Pro Football Focus points out that Harrison Jr. made five deep catches last season with those receptions accounting for 598. yards while averaging an elite 3.44 yards per route run.
“Harrison has everything you look for in a No. 1 wide receiver,” Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network writes. “He has a big frame, outstanding speed and natural hands. He has a unique blend of power and grace. He can win right off the line in his release whether he’s using pure speed or simply swatting away cornerbacks with his hands. He changes tempo in his routes down the field and can access another gear when the ball is in the air.
“He tracks the ball easily over his shoulder on deep balls and is adept at adjusting to throws on his back shoulder. After the catch, he has the speed to pull away or he can use his lower body strength to break tackles. His competitive nature showed up through the entire season.”
Earmarked to be the first wide receiver selected in this year’s class, if the Cardinals can add him to Murray’s supporting cast, Harrison Jr. is the type of player who can elevate the entire trajectory of the franchise.