Last year, the Arizona Cardinals kicked off their draft by selecting an Ohio State standout. Now, if Marvin Harrison Jr. has his way, the Cardinals could repeat history by drafting another former Buckeye in the first round this year.
Paris Johnson Jr., the Cardinals’ first-round pick in the previous draft, recently recounted a conversation he had with Harrison shortly after joining the team.
“I literally went to Marvin and was like, ‘Dude, you know you’re a Cardinal, right?'” Johnson reminisced during an appearance on Cardinals Corner. “I knew he was going to be a Cardinal because I saw what happened with [DeAndre Hopkins]. I’m like, the Cardinals are probably going to want another 6-4 receiver.”
Harrison’s response to Johnson likely resonates well with Cardinals fans.
“He said he wanted to be a Cardinal,” Johnson disclosed.
Harrison’s reported interest in joining the Cardinals seems logical given the team’s circumstances. With Kyler Murray at the helm, Arizona boasts a top-tier quarterback who showcased his Pro Bowl caliber performance last season following a return from injury.
Considering the departure of Marquise Brown, who opted to sign with the Chiefs in free agency, the Cardinals are in need of a primary wide receiver, a role Harrison could immediately fill.
Given the Harrison’s performance, his trajectory has been impressive. Despite playing behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in his freshman year, he emerged as a standout performer in 2022, amassing 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns, primarily catching passes from current Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Even in his final season at Ohio State, where he transitioned to catching passes from first-time starting quarterback Kyle McCord, Harrison continued to excel. He accumulated 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning recognition as the recipient of the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff Award, which honors college football’s top receiver.
The Cardinals find themselves in an advantageous position in the draft, holding the fourth pick. Given that the three teams ahead of them (the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots) are expected to prioritize selecting a quarterback, Arizona stands poised to have the opportunity to draft Harrison.