The league-wide consensus on Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie season was this: solid, not spectacular, with a potentially huge upside.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked Harrison as the NFL’s 26th-best wide receiver. Too low? Too high?
Probably just right. The ranking is based on results, not potential. Harrison shouldn’t be happy with either the ranking or his season. Potential is speculation until proven otherwise.
If he’s going to become an elite NFL receiver — as would seem to be his destiny — 2025 could be when the 22-year-old (he turns 23 in August) makes major strides in that direction.
Marvin Harrison Jr.’s background
Harrison, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is 6-foot-4 with a wonderful resume. He recently told the media that he added weight in the offseason to improve his physicality.
He had 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He only had two 100-yard games. Again, solid but not spectacular.
He had a terrific college career at Ohio State, where he caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns in 38 games.
His father is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his receiving exploits over a 13-year career with the Colts.
Pro Football Focus wrote in its wide receiver assessment: “Harrison Jr.’s rookie season may have felt underwhelming at times, but it was far from poor.
“He earned a 77.2 receiving grade overall and a 91.8 grade against single coverage, highlighting his ability to win one-on-one matchups as a true No. 1 receiver.”
Despite the low rating, Arizona can hope — and justifiably believe — that Harrison’s rookie season might be the worst of his career. His talent is obvious. Sometimes, the leap for a rookie from college football — even big-time college ball in the Big Ten — to the NFL is underappreciated by fans. It’s a monstrous upgrade for even the best of rookies.
Pathways for greater success for Harrison
Harrison wasn’t helped much by an inconsistent quarterback in Kyler Murray. Gotta figure they will click better in 2025, having played together for a year.
A stronger offensive line would benefit Harrison and Murray, who could have more time to deliver the ball on time and on target.
Harrison was the Cardinals’ second-leading pass receiver last season behind prolific tight end Trey McBride, who had 111 catches. Michael Wilson and James Conner were tied for third with 47 catches each. The Cardinals reportedly were in the market for another wide receiver, whose presence could open up more space for Harrison.
Pro Football Focus has three wide receivers in its Tier 1: the Eagles’ A.J. Brown at No. 1, followed by the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase.
“I’m very confident in what we have offensively,” Harrison recently told the Associated Press.
“From top to bottom, the quarterback, offensive line, skill positions, I think we have everything we need to accomplish our goals.”