Living up to the legacy of your Hall of Fame father is a big ask. It's an even bigger ask when you share the same name.
Marvin Harrison Jr. will enter the league with marginally better draft capital than his dad (who was selected 19th overall in 1996). Junior is projected to be a top-five pick. Harrison Jr. has big shoes to fill, as his father is considered one of the best wide receivers of all time and held the record for most receptions in a season until 2019.
His landing spot will play a huge factor in Harrison Jr.'s career arc. His father enjoyed catching passes from another all-time great, Peyton Manning. Unless the Chiefs sell the farm to trade up for him, Harrison Jr. won't have that luxury. But there are several landing spots where he should find immediate success.
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Marvin Harrison Jr. 2023 Season Review
Harrison Jr. was already regarded as a can't-miss prospect as he entered his junior year at Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes with 77 catches, 1,295 yards, and 14 touchdowns in his sophomore season. His numbers took a slight dip in 2023 after C.J. Stroud departed for the NFL. Kyle McCord was still able to connect with Harrison Jr. for 67 catches, 1,211 yards, and another 14 touchdowns.
Marvin Harrison Jr.'s impossible to defend 💯 @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/qkZamEvtLf
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 12, 2023
Harrison Jr.'s numbers helped him hoist the Biletnikoff Trophy, awarded to the nation's best wide receiver. The other finalists were LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze, two names also expected to be selected toward the top of April's draft.
Where Will Marvin Harrison Jr. Land?
Harrison Jr. is the betting favorite to be selected fourth overall by the Cardinals. Arizona has given every indication that they will select a wide receiver in the first round. Marquise Brown wasn't re-upped and he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Rondale Moore was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for backup quarterback Desmond Ridder. That leaves Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch as the wideouts atop the depth chart. Reinforcements are sorely needed.
The Cardinals potential offense if they draft Marvin Harrison Jr. 🐦📈 pic.twitter.com/BKbftNiyBJ
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 23, 2024
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray has proven he can support an elite receiver. DeAndre Hopkins racked up a 115-catch, 1,407-yard campaign in his first season in the desert. Christian Kirk nearly tallied 1,000 yards operating as the top option when Hopkins missed time in 2021.
While it does seem like a match made in heaven, the Cardinals could be tempted by another team wanting to trade into the top four to select a quarterback. There's a handful of quarterback-needy teams and there happens to be a "big four" in this draft. If that comes to fruition, Harrison Jr. probably won't be donning red again. The Chargers and Giants (picks five and six) need a wide receiver like Harrison Jr. or Nabers just as bad as the Cardinals do.
He'd be considered a top-24 wide receiver for fantasy football in Los Angeles. With Daniel Jones (or Drew Lock) tossing him the ball in New York, the results won't be as appealing.
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