With the fourth selection of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr., making him the first WR off the board within a stacked class.
Harrison is set up for immediate and long-term fantasy success in Arizona; the Cardinals desperately need weaponry, and Kyler Murray has proven capable of facilitating high-end WR1 numbers.
With a perfect combination of Talent + Volume + QB Play, Harrison enters the league with immediate WR1 upside. But just how high is his ceiling? Let’s take a deeper look into Harrison’s immediate 2024 Fantasy Outlook, as well as his dynasty fantasy prospects.
MARVIN HARRISON JR. SCOUTING REPORT: THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
The No.1 WR on any respectable board, Harrison is the most pro-ready WR to enter the NFL in years. Unsurprising, considering Harrison’s father is widely considered one of the greatest to play the position.
Via our previous scouting report, Harrison “epitomizes the genetically gifted WR, honing his craft with track star speed and acceleration, running precise routes, and exhibiting elite contested-catch abilities with his strong hands, awareness, and ball skills.”
In short, Harrison is the complete package.
Harrison did not test at the combine, instead “training to play football.”
This highlights Harrison’s “workman-like” mentality, and commitment to his craft. According to Dane Brugler, an NFL scout noted, “As talented as he is, his discipline and dedication to the craft might be the most impressive part of this guy.”
Despite not testing, Harrison’s athleticism shouldn’t be questioned. He was clocked at 23.1 mph in-game speed, and he can change directions fluidly and explosively. Consequently, he wins from every layer of the field, and can line up all over the formation.
Harrison may not be the deadliest YAC weapon, but he is as sure-handed as they come. He’s also dominant at the catch point.
As such, Harrison’s production was nothing short of dominant. He is the first WR in OSU history with multiple 1,000-yard seasons, with 1,263 in 2022, followed by 1,211 this past year. His 15 100-yard receiving games are a school record, while his 31 TDs rank third in TD grabs. He also earned the Biletnikoff Award as the Nation’s best WR in 2023, while competing for the Heisman.
Simply put, Harrison is the best receiving prospect since Ja’Marr Chase. He has minimal weak points and is as complete and pro-ready as they come.
Which is perfect, as the Cardinals desperately need him.
LANDING SPOT: HARRISON SET FOR MASSIVE TARGET SHARE FROM HIGH-END QB
Besides the Buffalo Bills, Arizona was the top spot for a WR prospect to land.
With luminaries like Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch atop the WR depth chart, the Cardinals desperately needed a true WR1. Yes, Trey McBride notched a position-best 26% targets per route run in 2023, but he had almost zero competition.
Harrison will immediately ascend to the No.1 weapon here, and threaten for 150+ targets from year one.
Even better: those looks will come from a quality QB in Kyler Murray, who has shown a tendency to pepper his WR1.
2023 was a bit of an anomaly, as Murray was hurt for much of the year, as was his top weapon in Marquise Brown.
Yet, dating back to 2022, Murray relentlessly peppered his top target, whether Brown or DeAndre Hopkins. While Hopkins served a six-game suspension, Brown averaged 10.7 targets per game (WR5) and 18.3 FPPG (WR7). He hit 10+ targets in four of six games, including a whopping 17 in Week 3, while never dipping below 12 PPR FPs.
Upon his return, Hopkins immediately re-gained Target Hog status, notching 11+ targets in six of nine games, averaging 10.6 looks and 17.7 FPPG (WR9).
In short, in his last healthy season, Murray’s No.1 weapon saw 10-plus looks in 10-of-15 games, yielding steady WR1 production.
Hopkins struggled with injuries in 2021, but still finished as the WR20 in FPPG, while Christian Kirk was the WR26. Yet, in 2020, Murray fed him 160 targets, which he turned into 115 catches, 1407 yds, and 6 TDs (WR4).
A young, fresh Harrison gives Murray the best weapon he’s ever played with. He could easily match, if not surpass, Hopkins’ 160+ looks and Top-5 WR output as an absolute target hog.
MARVIN HARRISON JR. 2024 FANTASY OUTLOOK & DYNASTY VALUE
Harrison would always be a top-five Dynasty WR, regardless of where he landed. Now that he’s locked in alongside Murray until at least 2028, Harrison has a genuine top-three claim, with only Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase clearly ahead for me. He also checks in at WR1 and No. 2 overall behind Caleb Williams on our 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings.
In Year 1, Harrison could post top-five WR stats and never look back. Individual talent, volume, and QB play are all coming up in spades, making this a perfect home for Harrison to blast off right away. He is my WR9 in 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings, just below Garrett Wilson, and just ahead of Davante Adams.
Marvin Harrison – Gut Projection: 160 targets, 118 rec, 1450 yards, 8 TDs
