Cardinals’s Marvin Harrison Jr’s has a bright outlook in Arizona.

Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals were seen as the likely landing spot for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. With the Cardinals drafting Harrison with the fourth overall selection, their wide receiver core finally has a bonafide leader to help this offense take off.

2024 is going to be a pivotal year for Arizona, as Kyler Murray will have a shot to put together his first full season after his ACL injury. For this team to even be slightly competitive, it will be up to Marvin Harrison to take on a big-time workload as the team’s premier pass catcher, a role that he has been ready to take on for a few years.

Overall Situation & Supporting Cast

The situation could not be much better for Harrison, as he enters the NFL with a long-term QB and plenty of vacated targets to fill. While the offense has shown some firepower, it will be up to Harrison to light a candle under an offense that has the firepower to be interesting.

Murray, who is just starting the first year of his five-year deal signed back in 2022, has the backing of head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort. Having only suited up in eight games last season due to his ACL recovery, Murray looked like his old self, racking up 13 total scores (three rushing) and over 2,000 all-purpose yards.

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who was Murray’s go-to target, departed in free agency and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. His departure leaves 100+ targets on the table, targets that MarvinHarrison will likely slide right into and pick up.

With Brown gone, third-year tight end Trey McBride is the only other part of the offense worth discussing. Having racked up 106 targets himself last season, McBride went for over 800 yards and three TDs last season, so he will be the main source of competition for Harrison.

The running game will need to pick up some slack as well, with James Conner and rookie Trey Benson taking on that role. Conner continues to be a workhorse even at age 28, but bringing in Benson, who is another bruiser, will eventually help share the load.

Year 1 Expectations in Cardinals

Look, Harrison wasn’t drafted to have a redshirt first year in the NFL. Plus, with the kind of receivers that Murray has to throw to, and you have the recipe for heavy usage for a rookie wideout.

Franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns are all out of the realm of possibilities for Harrison in year one, so let’s not expect history right away. But what should be expected, barring an injury, is a successful season of the best receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft.

While players like Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze were in the conversation for WR1 in the draft, Harrison will prove exactly why there was never a doubt. A 110-plus target season is upcoming for Marvin Harrison, and he should lead the entire rookie WR class in all major metrics across the board.

2024 Stat Projections – 85 receptions, 1,195 receiving yards, 8 TDs

Fantasy Football Impact

If we think back to the 2021 fantasy football draft cycle, Ja’Marr Chase was the rookie wideout that likely came off the board first. And after seeing his 81/1,455/13 stat line in year one, culminating in the WR5 overall finish that year, anything is possible for Harrison.

The damage that Harrison can do right out of the gate depends on how quickly his relationship with Murray develops. With opposing defenses likely keying in on Harrison as there are no other bonafide targets in the offense, Harrison may have to really fight to start the season on a strong note.

Regardless, the volume will absolutely be there for Harrison, so that shouldn’t be a concern. Harrison immediately joins the WR1 conversation and should be drafted as such, so you can plan on drafting him within the first five rounds of your redraft fantasy football leagues.

Landing Spot Grade in Cardinals

Grade: A+

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Harrison is almost a perfect fit in the desert, but the need for a top-flight wide receiver was that glaring for Arizona. Murray now has his top target that he will likely pepper with a ton of targets (think 120+) in the ‘24 season.

Harrison was the clear-cut leader in a stacked receiver class, and his landing spot benefits him immensely. While threatening Puka Nacua’s 2023 rookie reception record of 105 receptions should be safe, the lack of offensive skill players could give Harrison a shot.

The likelihood of Harrison taking home the Rookie of the Year award is surprisingly high as well, just based on how much he likely will be fed the ball. Even if the Cardinals struggle this year, expect Harrison to still do work, helping put his name on the board.