Pros and cons of Arizona picking Ohio State football WR Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL draft

bill rabinowitz, columbus dispatch

Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 1:59 PM·4 min read

Marvin Harrison Jr. became the highest-drafted wide receiver in Ohio State history Thursday night when the Arizona Cardinals took him with the fourth pick of the NFL draft.

The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Jr. was considered perhaps the best overall prospect in the draft and was the first non-quarterback selected.

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses after being selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the No. 4 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“I cannot be more excited than to be an Arizona Cardinal, really,” Harrison Jr. said during a conference call with Arizona reporters. “I’m super excited to get to work and that’s really all where my mind is at right now.”

Asked if thought he’d be picked at No. 4 by the Cardinals, he said, “It was definitely one of the options I thought could happen. I wanted to go into the draft with an open mind, didn’t have any expectation, but as soon as I got the phone call, man, I was just really excited like I said.”

Harrison Jr. said he’s looking forward to catching passes from Murray and being reunited with former college teammate, offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., whom Arizona selected a year ago with the No. 6 overall pick.

“Kyler’s awesome, man. You look at his record from high school, he’s always won and that’s the kind of guy I want to play with. He’s just so dynamic as a quarterback and I just want to go in there and make his job easier as much as I can,” Harrison Jr. said of Murray, adding of Johnson, “It’s really awesome. Its kind of like a full-circle moment. Last year before he even got drafted he was leaning toward Arizona and I was telling him how cool that would be if we played on the same team. … A year later we all made it work.”

Harrison will be reunited with former Buckeye teammate Paris Johnson Jr. The offensive tackle was Arizona's first-round pick last year with the sixth overall selection.

Harrison is projected to be the only Ohio State player taken in the first round of the draft. Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and tight end Cade Stover could be taken Friday when the second and third rounds are selected.

More: 2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 9 Ohio State Buckeyes prospects are projected to land

Ohio State has had three wide receivers taken in the first round of the last two drafts − Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year and Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in 2022 − but the highest-drafted Buckeye receiver until now was the late Terry Glenn. New England drafted him with the seventh pick in 1996.

Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) pushes off Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Devon Williams (9) as he runs down the field during the first half of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Ohio Stadium. — Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) pushes off Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Devon Williams (9) as he runs down the field during the first half of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Ohio Stadium.

What Marvin Harrison Jr. brings to Arizona in 2024 NFL draft

Harrison is expected to be an instant starter and probably a star right away. He provides much-needed help for Kyler Murray, who has been a disappointment since the Cardinals took him with the first pick of the 2019 draft.

Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) warms up prior to the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium.

Marvin Harrison Jr.'s highlights, strengths, weaknesses

Harrison is as close to unflawed as a receiver. He is 6-foot-4 with long arms, which allows him to make catches even when well-covered. But he's not well-covered often. Usually, receivers Harrison's height tend to lope and aren't that quick coming out of breaks. But Harrison makes sharp cuts to give him space. He also has the raw speed to race by defenders.

More: Marvin Harrison Jr. outfit: Ohio State WR flashes black suit, pendant before 2024 NFL Draft

Harrison is a tireless worker who spent countless hours catching passes and working on routes with the aid of a Monarc ball machine at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

It's nit-picking to find weaknesses with Harrison. He battled ankle injuries during his last two seasons at Ohio State. He did have the occasional drop last season. Though he can be an effective blocker, that's not necessarily his forte.

Jan 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is recognized during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Value City Arena.

Marvin Harrison Jr.'s stats at Ohio State

Harrison caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns in his three-year OSU career. Last year, he had 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns catching passes from his high school teammate, Kyle McCord. In 2022, when C.J. Stroud was the Buckeyes quarterback, Harrison caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Marvin Harrison Jr.'s potential in the NFL

It would seem unfair to compare any player with a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but as he enters the NFL, there's every reason to think Harrison could join his father in Canton. He has all the tangible and intangible traits to become an instant star. Barring injury, he should become one of the NFL's top receivers sooner rather than later.