Rookie Profile: Marvin Harrison Jr, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Welcome to the Rookie Profile: Marvin Harrison Jr, a Wide Receiver from Ohio State. He is from Philadelphia, PA, and was a 4-star St. Joseph’s Prep High School recruit.
Harrison, son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, committed to Ohio State in October 2019. At that time he was ranked as WR14 on 247sports. His teammate, WR Emeka Egbuka, was ranked WR1 on 247sports.
He finished his freshman season with no starts throughout 12 games. But he did have 11 receptions for 139 yards and 3 touchdowns.
In his sophomore season, he got the starting role. This would become his breakout season. Through 12 games he had 72 receptions for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. After such a season he became a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. He lost to Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt.
His junior season would lead to more production and a Biletnikoff Award Winner. In 2023 he finished with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 1 Pick 4
- Harrison Jr. was the first non-quarterback taken in this draft. Many speculated about this outcome. With the fourth overall pick, the wide receiver position was a glaring need for the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals lost their WR1 Marquis Brown when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs during free agency this past spring. Harrison Jr. now lands in a premier spot to take over the alpha role. As the fourth overall pick and first non-quarterback taken it says the Cardinals are invested in making Harrison Jr. a contributor to the team immediately.
Landing Spot- Arizona Cardinals
- Because the Cardinals lost Marquis Brown in free agency the only true threat to targets (if you want to call it that) is tight end Trey McBride. Yes, the Cardinals have wide receivers Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch returning. But quarterback Kyler Murray has been hurting for a true alpha to take over. His last wide receiver to see over 1,000 yards receiving was in 2020. That year DeAndre Hopkins caught 115 receptions from 160 targets for 1,407 yards. To be honest, due to their lack of depth at the position Marvin Harrison Jr. can easily recreate that 2020 year and be an immediate boom for the Arizona Cardinals.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: X Receiver
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Harrison Jr. should be the first wide receiver off the board. I say this even though I had Malik Nabers as my WR1 entering the NFL draft. But I trust Kyler Murray more than I do any quarterback the New York Giants have. Marvin Harrison Jr. will immediately become the X-WR for Kyler Murray. As I mentioned above, it is not crazy to believe that Harrison Jr. will get something north of 130 targets with over 100 receptions. Plus, he may join the last 3 rookie wide receivers (Puka Nacua, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson) in acquiring 1,400 or more yards in his rookie season. The consensus 1.01 in superflex leagues is quarterback Caleb Williams. However, if you are set at your QB positions and cannot trade back then I am okay with taking Marvin Harrison Jr. at the 1.01. He will be a stud for the Arizona Cardinals and your fantasy teams on day one!
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe Sneak Peek Video of Marvin Harrison Jr
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
