The Arizona Cardinals come into the 2024 season as a sleeper team. The Cardinals went 4-13 in the 2023 season, finishing as one of the worst teams in the league.
However, they started the year without their quarterback, Kyler Murray. Murray played in eight games, going 3-5, which is a big difference from the Cardinals going 1-8 without him.
The dual-threat quarterback has benefited from a full offseason and is entering his second season with head coach Jonathan Gannon. With half of a season under his belt in a new offensive system, Murray should play at a higher level in 2024.
Another benefit for Murray came in the draft, as the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick.
Harrison Jr. was the consensus top receiver in the class after back-to-back tremendous years at Ohio State. In 2023, Harrison Jr. hauled in 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had two rushes for 26 yards and a touchdown.
The 22-year-old is the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison. Harrison was a legendary wideout and a go-to target for Peyton Manning on the Indianapolis Colts.
With that in mind, let’s dive into three bold predictions for Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024.
Marvin Harrison Jr. wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
As one of the most NFL-ready rookies in his class, Harrison has a great shot at winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The oddsmakers have Harrison as third in odds to win the award behind Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. While the two rookie quarterbacks will be starting Week 1 and have a chance to be impactful, quarterbacks are more likely to struggle in adjusting to the NFL than receivers.
With a big role in Arizona’s offense, Harrison should be putting up the numbers to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He will total over 1,000 yards
Harrison proved in college that he is a special wideout. He was a dominant force in his sophomore and junior years, and his NFL-ready game should translate to success early on.
With Murray at quarterback for a full season, he will need a lead receiver to throw to. When Murray had a No. 1 target in DeAndre Hopkins in 2020, it resulted in a monster season for both of them.
Harrison should reap the benefits of having a quality quarterback in his rookie campaign, as they could form a lethal combination.
Marvin Harrison Jr. leads the Cardinals in targets
Despite only being a rookie, Harrison is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver for the Cardinals. While that’s the case, tight end Trey McBride is very talented and could challenge him as Murray’s go-to target.
McBride finished the 2023 season with 81 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns. The 24-year-old had 106 targets, leading the team ahead of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown by five targets.
However, with Harrison elite skillset, he should lead the team in targets as the Cardinals try to get their rookie receiver involved.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is poised for a great rookie season and could set the league on fire as the next great wide receiver.
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