Pros and cons of Arizona picking Ohio State football WR Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL draft
Marvin Harrison Jr. became the highest-drafted wide receiver in Ohio State history Thursday night when the Arizona Cardinals took him with the fourth pick of the NFL draft.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Jr. was considered perhaps the best overall prospect in the draft and was the first non-quarterback selected.
"I'm just super-blessed to be here," Harrison said on ESPN following his selection. "There are a lot of great receivers in this draft class. It's an honor to be first."
Harrison will be reunited with former Buckeye teammate Paris Johnson Jr. The offensive tackle was Arizona's first-round pick last year with the sixth overall selection.
Harrison is projected to be the only Ohio State player taken in the first round of the draft. Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and tight end Cade Stover could be taken Friday when the second and third rounds are selected.
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Ohio State has had three wide receivers taken in the first round of the last two drafts − Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year and Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in 2022 − but the highest-drafted Buckeye receiver until now was the late Terry Glenn. New England drafted him with the seventh pick in 1996.
What Marvin Harrison Jr. brings to Arizona in 2024 NFL draft
Harrison is expected to be an instant starter and probably a star right away. He provides much-needed help for Kyler Murray, who has been a disappointment since the Cardinals took him with the first pick of the 2019 draft.
Marvin Harrison Jr.'s highlights, strengths, weaknesses
Harrison is as close to unflawed as a receiver. He is 6-foot-4 with long arms, which allows him to make catches even when well-covered. But he's not well-covered often. Usually, receivers Harrison's height tend to lope and aren't that quick coming out of breaks. But Harrison makes sharp cuts to give him space. He also has the raw speed to race by defenders.
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Harrison is a tireless worker who spent countless hours catching passes and working on routes with the aid of a Monarc ball machine at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
It's nit-picking to find weaknesses with Harrison. He battled ankle injuries during his last two seasons at Ohio State. He did have the occasional drop last season. Though he can be an effective blocker, that's not necessarily his forte.
Marvin Harrison Jr.'s stats at Ohio State
Harrison caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns in his three-year OSU career. Last year, he had 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns catching passes from his high school teammate, Kyle McCord. In 2022, when C.J. Stroud was the Buckeyes quarterback, Harrison caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards with 14 touchdowns.
Marvin Harrison Jr.'s potential in the NFL
It would seem unfair to compare any player with a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but as he enters the NFL, there's every reason to think Harrison could join his father in Canton. He has all the tangible and intangible traits to become an instant star. Barring injury, he should become one of the NFL's top receivers sooner rather than later.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Arizona takes Harrison Jr. in 2024 NFL draft: Pros, cons of pick
