Marvin Harrison Jr. Scouting Report

You might remember his father, Marvin Sr.

Heck, the former Buckeye even plays a little like his Hall of Fame parent.

But Marvin Harrison Jr. is bigger, likely faster, and has a great chance to make his own mark on the NFL as the top-rated WR in the 2024 draft class.

What makes the wunderkind so special?

Let's dig into Harrison's profile and dynasty value after landing in Arizona ...

Marvin Harrison Jr. Draft Profile

Marvin Harrison Jr. Combine Results

Percentiles vs Combine WRs since 1999, per MockDraftable

Marvin Harrison Jr. College Stats

Stud WR Had to Wait

Harrison Jr. was a four-star recruit (WR14 in the country) in the 2021 class from St. Joseph’s Prep School in Philadelphia, a school he helped lead to three consecutive state titles.

He received 19 D-1 offers before choosing Ohio State.

Harrison Jr. didn't produce much as a freshman in 2021, though it's understandable when you consider the trio of wideouts ahead of him on the depth chart at the time:

• Garrett Wilson
• Chris Olave
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Opportunity Leads to Stardom

In 2022, Harrison quickly emerged as QB C.J. Stroud's favorite target, posting stellar numbers in 2022.

Among collegiate WRs with at least 100 targets, MHJ ranked first in Pro Football Focus receiving grade, second in yards per route run (3.18), and fifth in receiving yards (1,263). The talented pass-catcher also led the Big Ten in receiving TDs (14).

Harrison Jr. earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was voted a unanimous All-American selection.

OSU Offense Took a Step Back in 2023

After losing Stroud to the NFL, the Buckeye offense had some struggles with QB Kyle McCord.

But even with the new QB, Harrison was able to shine in his final college season.

He was again named first-team All-Big Ten a unanimous All-American. Harrison also ranked:

• fifth in PFF grade, among WRs with 100+ targets
• fourth in yards per route run (3.44)
• eighth in receiving yards (1,211)

Harrison won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award -- given to college football's best WR -- before opting to declare for the NFL Draft.         

Marvin Harrison Jr. Highlights

Games watched: Georgia 2022 (Peach Bowl), Michigan 2022, Penn State 2022, Iowa 2022, Indiana 2022, Notre Dame 2023, Michigan State 2023, Michigan 2023

MHJ plays with admirable fluidity.

The youngster demonstrates great body control and a strong connection between his head and his hips. It’s hard to watch him and not see some of the traits that made his father a superstar.

Harrison Jr.'s most valuable trait is his ability to ramp his speed up and throttle down quickly.

He’s not out there tap dancing with tremendous footwork to get free from defenders. Harrison understands when to kick up the speed and separate.

MHJ does leverage his size well along the sidelines and in red-zone situations, but in the green zone he’s relying on swift movement to find his way open.

In this way, Harrison is one of the smartest prospects I’ve watched in a long time.

WR Keeps Plays Alive

These traits are particularly helpful when plays start to break down.

I found several instances -- particularly with Stroud in 2022 -- where MHJ doesn’t just stop when his route ends.

We often see WRs in the NFL or college reach the end of their route, hesitate, and then resume running to get open for their QB.

Harrison does a great job of following the progression and path of the play, and where the QB is straying, without hesitation. That skill separates him from many WRs.

(Harrison starts at the bottom in this clip.)

As QB C.J. Stroud wanders out of the pocket, Harrison Jr. wades through Georgia defenders and follow's Stroud's signal to come back toward the end of the play before ultimately scoring a TD.

It's easy to find instances of Harrison making awesome plays on screens or across the middle. But what's more impressive is his ability to make tough sideline catches -- even though he often doesn't play up to his size.

Let's explore deeper into what makes MHJ a walking highlight reel.

Press Coverage Can Stop Him

A light concern for Harrison comes from his ability to manage tight press coverage.

Sure, he’s 6’4, but he doesn’t play like a big receiver. He is capable of being shut down when a DB lines up close and presses him.

That’s where NFL comps to larger, more traditional X-type WRs fall apart.

MHJ is a 'Tweener'

Harrison might not play to his size, but he counters that with IQ and presence of mind. You'll see soon that this particular "weakness" shouldn't concern you much.

When given space to get up to speed on sideline routes, Harrison displays a propensity to make awe-inspiring catches:

This catch from 2022 vs. Indiana wouldn't count in the NFL because he only got one foot in bounds. But Harrison showcases spatial awareness and contorts himself to secure the catch. (Which did count by college rules.)

Here are some more examples of solid field-stretching plays from Harrison.

First, this is a great deep route vs. Penn State in which he utilizes his speed to separate from the DB to make nice grab:

Second, MHJ is pressed toward the sideline by a Notre Dame defender before contorting his body to make a very difficult catch in heavy traffic:

Overall, MHJ is a bit of a paradox. He has not displayed a propensity for executing more common “small WR” responsibilities while also not wholly fitting into the traditional X archetype either.

It might sound lazy, but he's really just a taller version of his father in many ways.

Marvin Harrison Jr. Team Fit: Arizona Cardinals

Despite receiving plenty of trade offers, the Cardinals stuck at pick No. 4 to secure Harrison Jr. It's a great fit.

Kyler Murray is the type of QB who is willing to extend plays with his legs, and Harrison will complement that skill set tremendously.

So few WRs come to mind who seem to float on the field and use their IQ and natural athleticism to get open as well as Harrison does.

That's exactly the type of receiver that Arizona desperately needs to continue building out and elevating its offense.

Note that Murray supported a WR4 PPR finish from DeAndre Hopkins back in 2020.