For months, the notion of the Cardinals aligning with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. appeared tailor-made.
GM Monti Ossenfort turned that vision into reality on Thursday night.
Opting to retain their position at No. 4 overall, the Cardinals secured the Ohio State standout, bolstering their offensive arsenal led by Kyler Murray and igniting enthusiasm among their fan base.
Harrison is poised to seamlessly integrate into the lineup as the team’s premier wideout, although following his selection by Commissioner Roger Goodell in Detroit and the congratulatory embrace that ensued, the newest Cardinal refrained from disclosing concrete plans.
As anticipated, the top three picks in the draft were quarterbacks, leaving the Cardinals with an array of options. Ultimately, they opted for Harrison over LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, both highly touted wide receivers in this year’s class.
Nabers was subsequently chosen sixth by the Giants, and Odunze ninth by the Bears.
Despite speculation, there were no substantive trade discussions, according to Ossenfort. While the Vikings were a potential candidate for a trade-up, they only moved from 11 to 10, still securing J.J. McCarthy. The Broncos drafted Bo Nix 12th overall, and the Falcons surprised many by selecting Michael Penix Jr. at 8.
The absence of defensive selections in the draft’s initial 14 picks heightened anticipation for the Cardinals’ subsequent first-round selection at 27.
However, none of the available options compelled the Cardinals to deviate from their predetermined path. The prevailing sentiment had long pointed toward Harrison, the progeny of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., as their coveted target. This conviction was reinforced during Harrison’s extensive visit to Tempe this spring, following a brief encounter at the Scouting combine in February.
Harrison abstained from participating in the Combine or his pro day, opting instead for a tailored regimen to seamlessly transition into his NFL team’s training regimen post-draft—an approach that resonated with Ossenfort: “Marvin has a plan.”
Expected to immediately fortify the lineup alongside Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and tight end Trey McBride, Harrison Jr. amassed 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns during his junior year at Ohio State.
He recorded 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns in his sophomore season.
“Our priority is to integrate him and allow him to carve out his role,” emphasized Ossenfort.
Harrison expressed admiration for Murray, citing him as the type of quarterback he aspires to play alongside. Just a day earlier in Detroit, he asserted to reporters his versatility as a receiver, capable of slotting into various roles such as ‘X’, ‘Z’, and slot positions—an aspect Ossenfort eagerly anticipates exploring as they refine their utilization of him.
The union between Harrison and the Cardinals seemed predestined in many respects, tracing back to discussions between Johnson and Harrison prior to the 2023 draft. Johnson’s desire to join the Cardinals and their shared aspirations of donning the same jersey in Arizona hinted at an inevitable pairing.
