Tag: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Fantasy football outlook: Arizona Cardinals WR preview

A prized rookie headlines an unheralded receiving corps in the desert.

The Arizona Cardinals‘ wide receivers room has been a turnstile in recent years. Last year’s top two wide receivers both left – Marquise Brown (free agency) and Rondale Moore (trade). Entering 2024, the Cardinals have a new No. 1 wide receiver in fourth overall draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr., who is already being anointed as the ”next big thing” in Arizona.

Harrison joins a pair of in-house returnees – Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch. Arizona added a pair of veterans in free agency with low-investment signings of Zay Jones and Zach Pascal. There are some questions how the depth charter will play out for WR2 through WR5, but there’s no question that Harrison is the go-to guy.

Marvin Harrison Jr. debuts at No. 18 in 2024 WR rankings

Harrison enters the NFL ranked just behind Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel and Stefon Diggs.

The Arizona Cardinals believe they have a potential star in rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., whom they selected fourth overall in the 2024 NFL draft. They aren’t the only ones who believe that.

Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey put together rankings of the top 32 receivers enter 2024 and Harrison debuts in the top 20 at No. 18 overall, just behind The Rams’ Cooper Kupp, the 49ers’ Deebo Samuel and the Texans’ Stefon Diggs.

Queue all the angry people screaming, “He hasn’t even played a down yet.”

I don’t care. Harrison is the best receiving prospect since Calvin Johnson, and it isn’t premature to put him in the top 20. He and Kyler Murray are about to be a complete hoot to watch every week, and big numbers are coming his way.

He ranks ahead of players like New Orleans’ Chris Olave, Philadelphia’s Devonta Smith and Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins.

Considering he has yet to play a down in the NFL, these are lofty expectations.

He should be the Cardinals’ No. 1 receiver. Projections have him netting over 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie.

If he proves to be a top-20 receiver out the gate, Arizona’s offense will be very good.

With recent huge rookie seasons from receivers like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, the hope is Harrison can make a similar impact in 2024.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Pair of Chargers land on projected 2024 NFL All-Rookie Team

The Chargers were represented on both sides of the football.

The Chargers stacked deck with their rookie class and selected a few players who should contribute early in their pro careers.

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter released his projections for the 2024 All-Rookie Team and named offensive tackle Joe Alt and linebacker Junior Colson.

Here is what Reuter had to say about Alt:

First-year Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz decided to bolster the offensive line instead of picking a receiver in April’s first round, so look for the team to run J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and rookie Kimani Vidal (whom I considered for this list) behind Alt. The move from left tackle to the right side should not be an issue for the son of former Pro Bowl lineman John Alt, as Joe Alt’s power, football IQ and agility will allow him to succeed.

Alt was selected with the No. 5 overall pick and will be the team’s starting right tackle. Despite never playing the position, he is a polished and physical lineman with great size/length, overall technique, and strength.

Alt’s services will benefit Justin Herbert, who has been one of the most pressured quarterbacks since entering the league in 2020. He will also improve the ground game, which hasn’t been efficient for over a decade.

Here is why Colson was recognized among the other top rookies:

It seemed like a given that Jim Harbaugh would draft at least one of his former Michigan standouts this year, so seeing Colson land with the Chargers was no surprise. He should be in the mix from Day 1, filling running lanes and chasing backs to the outside whether it’s a stretch play or a throw to the flat. I expect him to crack the 100-tackle mark this season.

Colson is a rangy and explosive linebacker whose coverage skills are high-quality NFL traits. He has the speed to stay in phase with tight ends and running backs and is also effective in the run game.

Colson will compete with Daiyan Henley to start next to Denzel Perryman, but given his familiarity with Jesse Minter’s defense, it would not be surprising and be productive in Year 1.

The Arizona Cardinals are a super sleeper team going into 2024

With a second-year head coach and a refreshed franchise quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals could shock the NFL world in 2024.

One wouldn’t be blamed for not thinking highly of a team that finished last season with a porous 4-13 record and a proven talent gap within the division. However, the Arizona Cardinals are a team that could prove to play spoiler for the 2024 NFL season, and may even be a surprise playoff team when things are all said and done.

While the talent pool in Arizona is not as deep as some of the juggernauts of their division, with the Rams and 49ers boasting two of the more dangerous rosters in the entire league, there was clearly a spark to this Jonathan Gannon led team last season that was without their franchise quarterback for the majority of it.

Yes we can call Kyler Murray what he is at this point in his career, and that is a franchise quarterback. Injuries and mixed play have certainly damaged his reputation with the general public, but when Murray is at the top of his game he is a superstar and he showed as much during the final stretch of last season as he was coming back from injury.

In the final three games of the season Murray compiled six touchdowns to just one turnover and had Arizona averaging 23 points a game over that stretch. Murray has been able to adapt to the new look Drew Petzing offense, which was a massive change of direction compared to the equivalent of offensive food poisoning that was the Kliff Kingsbury offense he previously played under. With Petzing clearly prioritizing the run to set up Murray’s play by play explosion, this offense looked like it was humming better than it had all year once Murray started to come into himself late into the season.

This offseason has been a massive shift on offense to help establish their new identity as a smash mouth running team. Drafting the likes of Florida State running back Trey Benson, Illinois guard Isaiah Adams, and Illinois tight end Tip Reiman, along with the signing multiple free agents who fit the mold, sends a clear signal that Arizona is going to run the ball down opposing teams throats play after play.

The most obvious draft selection of Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is only going to help open up the field for Murray on passing downs as well as relieve pressure within the front seven, as teams will have to respect the rookies playmaking ability at the second level. Veteran running back James Conner should find plenty of opportunity to expand upon what was one of his best seasons to date.

It’s easy to forget that Arizona was projected to be the worst team in the league last season, and many a fan and analyst wrote them off the be blown out every game until Murray returned to service, but that simply did not happen. While the win total did not fall far from that prediction, it was clear this team was fighting game in and game out for their rookie head coach. The defense looked refined and relentless under Gannon’s guidance, and was a big reason why the team was so competitive.

Arizona even ended up shocking the world early on in the season with a major upset over the Dallas Cowboys in week three, which looked like a culmination of all the things we talked about coming together (plus some super hero stuff for Josh Dobbs).

With a clear identity, a fully healthy Murray, a budding defense behind a brilliant defensive mind, and players willing to go to war for their coach, the Cardinals could continue to shock the world and take a massive leap in Jonathan Gannon’s second year as head coach.

WATCH: Marvin Harrison Jr. throws out first pitch at Diamondbacks game

Harrison Jr. with a pretty cool moment here. #GoBucks

It has no doubt been a whirlwind couple of months for former Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. He went through all of the NFL draft buzz, has been getting his feet wet in training camp and organized team activities after being selected by the Arizona Cardinals, and he’s making some public rounds to get him introduced to the community in the greater Phoenix area.

One of those appearances occurred this week when he and fellow first-round selection, defensive end Darius Robinson, appeared at an Arizona Diamondbacks game to throw out the first pitch — or pitches if you will.

In case you missed any of it, we have video of Harrison and Robinson walking up to the mound and throwing out dueling pitches to get things going against the Los Angeles Angels, a game the Diamondbacks won 11-1.

We have a feeling this will not be the last time Harrison gets a chance to be a guest of honor at a Diamondbacks game.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

It’s true: Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is ‘perspicacious’

Second-year receiver Michael Wilson had perhaps the most unexpected way to describe rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

As the media assembled for the final availability of the offseason Tuesday, they were unexpectedly provided a vocabulary lesson from Arizona Cardinals second-year wide receiver Michael Wilson.

Asked several questions about the addition of rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson was effusive in his praise for the fourth overall choice in the draft.

When asked what stood out after being with him up close on a daily basis, Wilson said, “He was bigger than I thought when I saw him and he’s just a really, really good dude. I’m not just saying that because I’m up here; because I have to say that. I genuinely am saying that because he truly is a good person and he’s humble. For someone to have accomplished the things that he’s accomplished, you wouldn’t know that just in a regular conversation with him. I think that’s always special when someone’s grounded and very humble despite having accomplished so much.”

And your expectations for the rookie? Here’s where Wilson dug deep into his dictionary, saying, “I would anticipate him to continue his college production to the NFL, barring injury. He really hadn’t had any busts in the playbook and I think he’s very perspicacious and always seeking information and very self-aware. With that attitude, combined with having elite traits that you can’t teach and a great natural feel for the position, I truly think the sky’s the limit for him.”

There it was: perspicacious. Wilson said it so matter-of-factly that no one asked a follow-up until he was leaving the media area and told a couple reporters the definition, which, of course, matched what anyone can find in a Google search:

“Of acute mental vision or discernment,” or, “Having a ready insight into and understanding things.” He also could have been describing himself.

The fun came when Harrison followed Wilson in the media room and was told the word his teammate used.

Admitting he didn’t know what it means, Harrison said, “That’s that Stanford education.” He then added that now knowing Wilson, “Whatever that means, it’s awesome.”

All of us in the media would welcome being considered perspicacious.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

2024 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Receivers

Cardinals and Bears looking at a sweet schedule for the receivers

The strength of schedule for receivers lumps wide receivers and tight ends together since each team uses the positions differently. While overall averages are interesting, no position is as sensitive to individual matchups as are receivers facing particular defensive backs. This makes the analysis less accurate than that for running backs and quarterbacks. The best receiver for an offense invariably draws the best coverage defender, if not more than one on most plays.

The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, and that creates 64 “different defensive matchups” depending on where the game is played.

SEE ALSO: Quarterbacks | Running Backs

The average passing fantasy points allowed by defenses for receivers last year is at the bottom of this page.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and some leagues, only total points matter. Below are the total points for each passing offense according to their schedule using the averages allowed by those defenses in 2023 .

PHI CHI DET ARI GB ATL SF NYJ IND CLE HOU
781 774 768 766 754 746 745 745 743 733 731
CAR DAL LV NO WAS BUF BAL SEA NE MIN
728 726 724 723 723 719 718 717 716 713
TEN KC NYG TB PIT CIN LAR DEN MIA LAC JAC
711 707 703 701 700 698 697 693 690 689 687

 

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft like the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoffs. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22.

Wk 1-17 SOS Good Bad First 6 Gms SOS Good Bad Playoffs SOS Good Bad
CHI 5 8 3 HOU 3 4 1 CHI 3 3 0
ARI 5 8 3 NYJ 3 3 0 SF 3 3 0
DET 4 7 3 SEA 3 4 1 CIN 2 2 0
GB 3 6 3 ARI 2 3 1 CLE 2 2 0
SF 3 6 3 TB 2 4 2 TEN 2 2 0
NYJ 3 6 3 IND 2 2 0 ATL 1 2 1
BUF 2 5 3 CHI 2 3 1 LAC 1 2 1
NE 2 7 5 NE 2 3 1 GB 1 1 0
IND 1 5 4 DET 2 3 1 NO 1 1 0
BAL 1 5 4 WAS 1 2 1 MIN 0 1 1
ATL 0 6 6 GB 0 2 2 LV 0 1 1
CLE 0 6 6 SF 0 1 1 WAS 0 1 1
HOU 0 6 6 DEN 0 1 1 JAC 0 1 1
DAL 0 6 6 BAL 0 2 2 NE 0 1 1
TEN 0 6 6 BUF 0 2 2 DEN 0 1 1
CAR -1 5 6 MIA 0 1 1 NYJ 0 1 1
LV -1 4 5 PHI -1 1 2 BUF 0 1 1
NO -1 5 6 CLE -1 2 3 PHI -1 1 2
SEA -1 5 6 CAR -1 2 3 KC -1 0 1
PHI -2 5 7 ATL -1 1 2 BAL -1 0 1
WAS -2 4 6 NYG -1 2 3 ARI -1 0 1
MIN -2 3 5 KC -1 1 2 DAL -1 1 2
MIA -2 2 4 LAR -1 1 2 DET -1 0 1
KC -3 4 7 PIT -2 2 4 LAR -1 0 1
NYG -3 5 8 NO -2 2 4 CAR -1 0 1
CIN -3 4 7 DAL -2 1 3 HOU -1 1 2
LAR -3 3 6 JAC -2 1 3 MIA -1 0 1
TB -4 4 8 LAC -2 0 2 IND -2 0 2
PIT -4 5 9 MIN -2 0 2 TB -2 0 2
LAC -4 3 7 LV -3 0 3 PIT -2 0 2
JAC -4 4 8 CIN -3 1 4 NYG -3 0 3
DEN -5 2 7 TEN -3 1 4 SEA -3 0 3

Best schedule strength

DJ Moore/Keenan Allen (CHI) – The Bears feature the top quarterback from the 2024 draft and that throws risk into the equation even for an elite talent. DJ Moore was new last year and succeeded but now has the young quarterback and will share with Keenan Allen. Caleb Williams still needs to prove his talent, but he has two competent receivers enjoying the lightest schedule strength in the NFL.

Marvin Harrison Jr./Trey McBride (ARI) – The Arizona receivers also face the same best-case schedule for 2024, but unlike the Bears, their quarterback is the veteran, and the wideout is the top-drafted in his position this year. Trey McBride was a breakout second-year tight end who returns to the same quarterback, coaches and scheme. Marvin Harrison Jr. is in a very advantageous position with marginal competition from the other Cardinal wideouts and also faces the softest schedule.

Amon-Ra St. Brown/Sam LaPorta (DET) – This is an interesting development. The Lions return the same scheme and players including Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was No. 2 in receptions last year (119) and Sam LaPorta who was the top fantasy tight end despite being a rookie. Now, all that greatness from 2024 is pitted against the third-best schedule strength. The only marginal downside is that there are no light matchups left after Week 13.

Garrett Wilson/Mike Williams (NYJ) – Can it finally be the Jets’ year? Garrett Wilson shined regardless of the otherwise mediocrity at quarterback last season. He gets, assumedly, a healthy Aaron Rodgers and a lighter schedule to boost his 2024 potential. Mike Williams has to learn a new offense and return from his ACL tear but at least face a lighter slate of defensive venues. The rookie Malachi Corley could also figure in if Williams is slow to return to form.

Worst schedule strength

Courtland Sutton/Josh Reynolds (DEN) – As if the coin flip between Bo Nix and Zach Wilson wasn’t scary enough, the Broncos are looking at the cruelest schedule for receivers with just two light matchups. They have a stretch during the season where eight games contain six bad venues and no good ones.

Christian Kirk/Brian Thomas (JAC) – The Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley but replaced him with Brian Thomas Jr., which should be a wash, if only eventually. The only saving grace to their rough outlook with eight poor matchups is that they had one of the worst schedules last year, and 2024 may be bad, but it is slightly better than 2023.

Joshua Palmer/Quentin Johnston (LAC) – It was already scary enough losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. And bringing in a far more conservative offensive scheme that seeks to run more and pass less. But the Chargers have one of the weakest pair of starters going against one of the worst schedule strengths which include only three lighter matchups all year.

George Pickens/Van Jefferson/Roman Wilson (PIT) – The Steelers imported the Falcons offense when they hired OC Arthur Smith who is fresh from the crash-and-burn of the Atlanta passing game the last couple of seasons. Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields learn that new run-heavy scheme with sketchy receivers outside of George Pickens and face an NFL-worst nine games facing the toughest venues.

2024 weekly grid 

Fantasy points allowed per game to WRs

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for wide receivers and tight ends.

@PHI @MIN NYG DET CHI TB LAC DEN @WAS WAS JAC PHI @CIN LAR SEA @TEN
62.2 58.6 57.3 56.6 56.2 55.9 55.2 54.1 53.9 53.2 52.1 51.6 51.5 51.5 50.6 49.9
@DET @IND @MIA CIN MIA KC @SF @LAR ATL CLE @HOU @TB TEN @GB LVR HOU
49.8 49.4 48.7 47.8 47.8 47.7 47.7 47.0 46.9 46.6 46.2 45.9 45.9 45.4 45.3 45.1
PIT @LAC @JAC BUF NE @PIT @ARI @SEA SF NO ARI @DAL MIN @DEN BAL GB
45.0 44.9 44.8 44.8 44.5 44.4 44.3 44.1 43.8 43.8 43.4 43.0 43.0 42.5 42.3 41.9
@LVR @NO @BAL @NYG IND @NE @ATL CAR @CAR @BUF DAL @NYJ @CHI NYJ @KC @CLE
41.7 41.4 41.2 40.5 39.9 39.5 38.8 38.4 36.8 36.7 35.5 34.6 34.3 32.9 30.2 29.2

 

Jonathan Gannon wants Marvin Harrison Jr. to be ‘smart’ about the work he does

The Cardinals head coach thinks Harrison might be doing too much for this time of year as he prepares for his rookie season.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was very deliberate with the way he handled his offseason preparation after his Ohio State career concluded.

Harrison eschewed the combine training most draft-eligible players do so he could focus on simply football and being as ready as possible for a 17-game NFL regular season. He didn’t work out at the combine or Ohio State’s pro day and the Cardinals obviously had no problem with that.

So, it was that some eyebrows were raised this week when Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon commented on the additional work Harrison does.

Asked his first impressions of the rookie in the first month of his NFL career, Gannon said, “He’s extremely detailed. He does a lotta extra; probably too much. I’m going to be fighting him about that. But he’s just like everybody else right now, kinda getting out there and he’s gonna make some mistakes and learn from his mistakes and understand the thought process from Drew (offensive coordinator Drew Petzing) and Drew (wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator Drew Terrell), the quarterback perspective, where he needs to be. I like how he’s jumped in and he’s doing a good job.”

When pressed for the reason he has some concern about the extra work, Gannon said, “Because we’re spaced out with how many reps and the amount of workload that he gets and then (if) he goes and runs 100 routes on the weekend, he might be dragging today. Now, he doesn’t drag, but I’m just talking about like, I love extra work; you just gotta be smart about it.

“You just have to have a routine about what you’re doing. You only get one cup a day, so how are you filling your cup? And if you’re overflowing it somewhere, it’s gonna take from somewhere else. Or you might not develop like we want you to develop. But he’s doing a good job with his routine, his plan and what he’s doing.”

Quarterback Kyler Murray was asked Wednesday if he’s noticed anything similar to what Gannon voiced and said, “This is my first time being around him, so I don’t really know what’s too much or what’s not too much. That’s on JG obviously. He doesn’t want him to … you know; we play in September, we don’t play now, so I understand it from that point.”

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Kyler Murray excited about his pass-catching weapons

He had glowing praise for Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray spoke to the media for the first time since the end of the 2023 season five months ago and in his 21-plus minutes he was as comfortable as he’s ever been since being the first overall pick in the 2019 draft.

He used the word “excited” numerous times and a lot of that occurred when asked specifically about a few guys that will be his wide receivers, notably first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr.

The duo has been working together for only a month, but it’s been a quick study for Murray who was hopeful Harrison would land in Arizona with the fourth overall choice in the first round.

Murray said, “I think everybody saw it coming out and I know there’s an evaluation and everything when it comes to the draft process and everybody’s watching everybody and they want to nit-pick what he can do, what he can’t do, but he’s been good at football his whole life. He’s obviously been groomed by one of the best, his pops (Marvin Sr.), a Hall of Famer and there’s not much to think about. He plays the game at a high level and obviously it’s a new level for him, but I have no doubt that he’ll go do his thing this year whenever he wants to.

“Because he’s going to be that type of guy and I know how much he loves the game just sitting there talking to him. His energy and just what he’s going to mean to the team I think everybody should be excited about.”

Asked what Harrison can bring to the offense as a rookie if he is “that guy,” Murray quickly said, “He will be (that guy). That takes us to another level. When you’ve got a guy that is capable of winning one-on-ones, obviously he’s gotta go do it and he knows that; we all know it. But as far as manipulating coverages, stuff like that, you got a guy out there that can do that and even if he’s not open, he’s open, so I’m excited to be able to build that with him when he does what he does. Yeah, I fully expect our offense to be top of the league.”

Murray and Michael Wilson were delayed in getting on the same page last season, but they began hitting their stride down the stretch.

Noting that he believes Wilson will improve “a lot” in his second season, Murray said, “And not necessarily a lot in that he has a lot of work to get better at. But … Mike’s gonna be playing for a long time. I fully believe that. He’s one of those guys; I mean, I call him at 3 a.m., he’s there. He loves this (expletive). I fully expect Mike to go off this year, for sure.”

Chuckling when asked if Wilson has to earn his trust, Murray said, “I can watch the dude and tell if he’s got it. He doesn’t have to earn my trust. I think if anything you embrace it.”

Finally, Murray had strong words for what he believes Greg Dortch can continue to add to the offense.

“I feel like Dortch is unguardable,” Murray said. “As far as one-on-one, knowing where to be in the zones; he’s got the nuance and the savvy to him that you want in a receiver and not everybody has it. I say that because it’s not very common.

“What is he, 5-7? If he was 6-3, he’d be a top-five pick in the NFL. That’s what I think, that’s the type of football player that he is. And again, he loves the game. I can … go to war with Greg every day.”

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

More about BJ Ojulari’s number switch with Marvin Harrison Jr.

It took a conversation with Desmond Ridder as well.

The Arizona Cardinals’ top draft pick, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. wore No. 18 in college at Ohio State and there was some question as to whether he would be able to wear it in the pros. Last year’s second-round pick, linebacker BJ OJulari, had No. 18, a number that meant a lot for him because of the tradition at LSU.

But it was no problem. Ojulari gave Harrison No. 18 and took No. 9, only that took another change, as backup quarterback Desmond Ridder had that number. Ridder now has No. 19.

All it took was some talking, and it appears that Harrison comes in with a cache of respect from his new teammates.

“I know the type of caliber player Marv is going to be. He looks good in 18. I’m comfortable in No. 9. I’m liking the switchup,” he said.

“It was a good mutual agreement with everybody,” Ojulari told reporters on Monday. “Marv talked to me. I talked to him. It was the first time we both had something like that going on but we all figured it out.”

As for Ojulari and Ridder, it sounds like it was agreed to before Harrison reached out to Ojulari.

“We talked to Desmond as well,” Ojulari explained. “He agreed on it as well, so we all just git it figured out to get it down before Marv got in.”

No. 9 is not unfamiliar to Ojulari. He wore it in youth football.

Ojulari was impressed by Harrison reaching out and talking to him personally.

But now Ojulari gets to rush the passer with a single-digit number and Harrison gets his old number.

Seems like a win-win.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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