Cardinals select Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with No. 4 overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals held their ground and selected the first non-quarterback player of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Cardinals selected Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in Thursday’s first round in Detroit.

He could potentially be the most impeccable prospect in the 2024 group.

Being the son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., Jr. possesses the pedigree, talent, and determination to be one of the top receivers right from the start.

Harrison Jr., who possesses an ideal size of 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, combines this with dynamic speed, exceptional hand-eye coordination, and impeccable route running skills. His entrance into the NFL is marked by an exemplary combination of productivity, measurable attributes, and potential for growth.

THE Ohio State product put up 1,200-plus receiving yards and scored 14 touchdowns in each of his two seasons as a starter, becoming the first player in school history to have two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Considering the talent OSU has churned out even in just recent seasons, Harrison claiming that record is no little merit badge.

Harrison may not excel in a 40-yard dash, but his speed on the field is exceptional, allowing him to swiftly break away from defenders. His quick jukes and feints, along with his expert route running – likely a result of having a Hall of Fame mentor – give Harrison significant room to comfortably read plays for quarterbacks. As a fluid athlete, the wide receiver can easily close distance and possesses the advanced ball handling skills to make any catch appear effortless.

The 21-year-old has an impressive college track record, filled with outstanding catches resulting from excellent ball-tracking abilities, composed contortion skills, and firm grip. His boundary footwork is on par with NFL standards, and his proficiency in scramble drills will be beneficial in his transition. Harrison’s post-catch yardage largely stemmed from his speed and forceful running rather than elusive maneuvers in open space. However, there were instances where he was so distanced from opponents that he didn’t need to employ many tactics.

To be overly critical, Harrison could improve his play strength, especially considering veteran corners are likely to challenge the rookie physically. He also wasn’t particularly recognized for his blocking abilities. However, both these minor flaws can be readily rectified, positioning Harrison as an almost flawless prospect for today’s style of football.

Harrison skipped most of the pre-draft prep, including working out at the NFL Scouting Combine and meeting with the media. He also sat out Ohio State’s pro day. While he still took meetings with teams, he didn’t need to do the other testing because his tape and talent already speak for themselves. Harrison skipping those workouts didn’t harm his status one iota.

From the get-go, Harrison is Arizona’s top target, at least on paper. His new coaching staff, inclusive of Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, will probably emphasize that every position must be earned. However, it’s clear that Harrison enters the locker room as the team’s premier receiving talent.

Arizona is fortunate for Harrison’s stern, business-like approach to his profession, likely a perk of being brought up by a football luminary. He seems extremely devoted to his craft, a dedication that should persist in his professional career.

With Michael Wilson, Chris Moore, Greg Dortch and Zach Pascal as the top receivers on the depth chart before Thursday night, Harrison should become Kyler Murray‘s favorite target off the bat. Expect the rookie to get the lion’s share of the targets.

Murray sorely missed a DeAndre Hopkins-type target last season, someone who can always uncover, make tough catches and, when in doubt, get force-fed the ball in all situations. Harrison’s ability to uncover when the QB goes into scramble mode should also mesh beautifully with Murray.

From the time the Cardinals indicated they would stick with Murray in 2024, Harrison was seen as a likely draft pick. Even dropping to fourth overall didn’t prevent this potential pairing from becoming a reality.

As we approached Thursday night, it was uncertain if Arizona would be tempted to trade back with a team aiming to advance and secure a quarterback, potentially missing out on MHJ. However, General Manager Monti Ossenfort decided against trade options, opting instead to select a highly talented receiver with great potential, satisfying a team need.

The Cardinals skillfully navigated the draft board to acquire extra lottery tickets last season. However, this year, they held their ground and chose a nearly guaranteed winner.

Harrison uniforms are currently unavailable for Cardinals fans to purchase as he has not yet agreed to participate in the NFL Players Association’s Group Player Licensing Program. “We will respect the NFLPA’s rights and Mr. Harrison’s decision, and be prepared to add Mr. Harrison’s jersey and other products as soon as he resolves this matter,” the league said in a statement.