Cardinals wisely stay put to select Marvin Harrison Jr. as the first non-quarterback in the NFL Draft
The first non-quarterback is off the board as the Arizona Cardinals select Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. From the very beginning of the pre-draft process, the son of legendary NFL wideout Marvin Harrison was always the logical fit for Arizona. Harrison has been a […]
The first non-quarterback is off the board as the Arizona Cardinals select Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
From the very beginning of the pre-draft process, the son of legendary NFL wideout Marvin Harrison was always the logical fit for Arizona. Harrison has been a viewed as a clear first round pick since he started his first game for the Buckeyes in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Two years later, he enters the NFL as one of the best receiver prospects in recent memory.
As a full-time starter the last two seasons, Harrison racked up 144 receptions for 2,474 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. He was a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten WR of the Year in both years, and the Biletnikof Award winner in 2023, which is given to the top college wideout in the nation.
Harrison is ranked as the third overall prospect in this draft class by A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst James Foster. His top attributes make a clear argument.
- Crisp route runner, rare break quickness for a player of his size
- Elite contested catch threat (32 career contested catches)
- Snatches the ball in tight windows with coordinated footwork along the sideline
- Fluid open space movement skills to make defenders miss after the catch
- Uses pressure steps/crafty body language to attack leverage
Harrison has all the production and traits to become a No. 1 receiver for years to come, which is what the Cardinals have lacked since releasing Deandre Hopkins a year ago. The 21-year old Harrison will immediately become Kyler Murray's top option on the outside with Michael Wilson and Trey McBride becoming solid complementary targets.
It was 20 years ago when Arizona made Larry Fitzgerald the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. The Cardinals will now have another alpha receiver to build around for the foreseeable future.
