Look, everyone expected Marvin Harrison Jr. to basically be the second coming of his dad the second he stepped onto an NFL field. He was the "can't-miss" prospect. The "built in a lab" receiver. And then 2024 actually happened, and a lot of people started scratching their heads.
Honestly, if you just look at the raw box scores, you might think he was a bit of a letdown. He finished his rookie campaign with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are solid numbers—great, even, for most rookies. But when you're the fourth overall pick and you're watching guys like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. go nuclear, 885 yards feels kinda... quiet.
But here's the thing: the stats don't tell the whole story. Not even close. If you actually dig into how the Arizona Cardinals used him, it’s a miracle he hit those numbers at all.
The Marvin Harrison Jr. Utilization Problem
The biggest issue in 2024 wasn't Marvin. It was the "fit."
During his time at Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr. was a technician. He won with route running, finding soft spots in zones, and being a reliable chain-mover. But in Drew Petzing’s offense last year, he was basically treated like a track star. They sent him deep. A lot.
His average depth of target (aDOT) was way up around 13.9 yards. For context, that’s high. They were asking a 6'3", 205-pound technician to play like a pure deep threat. It meant a lot of "uncatchable" balls. In fact, over 42% of his targets last year were considered uncatchable. That's a wild stat. Imagine trying to do your job when nearly half the tools you’re given are broken.
Kyler Murray is a great quarterback, but the chemistry just wasn't "there" early on. They weren't on the same page. Kyler likes to scramble and find his security blanket, which for most of last year was Trey McBride. Marvin was often left out on an island on the boundary, running go-routes into double coverage while the play broke down underneath.
The Week 2 Explosion
We saw what it could look like in Week 2 against the Rams. Marvin went off for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. It was vintage Harrison. He looked unstoppable. But then, things got inconsistent. He had games where he'd disappear—literally. In Week 1 against Buffalo, he had one catch for four yards. In Week 6 against Green Bay, he left with a concussion and had zero stats.
It was a roller coaster.
Why 2025 and 2026 Look Different
The narrative is already shifting. Entering the 2025 season, Marvin reportedly put on about 11 pounds of muscle. He's bigger. He’s more physical. And the Cardinals finally realized that maybe, just maybe, they should let him run some intermediate routes.
In the 2025 season opener against New Orleans, we saw the "New Marvin." He had five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, but more importantly, he was catching crossers. He was working the middle of the field.
Basically, the Cardinals stopped trying to make him just a deep threat and started letting him be a wide receiver.
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- Better Route Tree: He's finally running the slants and digs he mastered in college.
- Chemistry with Kyler: They spent the 2025 offseason "in the lab." It shows. The timing on back-shoulder fades is finally there.
- Physicality: That extra weight helps him beat press coverage, which was a minor struggle in his rookie year.
You’ve gotta realize that most "elite" receivers don't peak in Year 1. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase spoiled us. Usually, it takes until Year 2 or 3 for the game to slow down. Marvin Harrison Jr. is right on schedule, even if the fantasy football world is impatient.
What Most People Get Wrong
People love to say he's "not fast enough." They see his 40-yard dash (or lack thereof, since he didn't run it at the combine) and assume he's slow.
Wrong.
He’s plenty fast. His game just isn't built on raw, straight-line speed like a Tyreek Hill. It’s built on "tempo." He knows how to slow down to lure a defender into a false sense of security and then explode at the break. It’s a craft.
Also, the "bust" talk from early 2025 was premature. You don't tie a franchise rookie record for touchdowns (8) if you're a bust. You don't become the first Cardinals rookie since 1970 to have 100 yards and two scores in a single quarter if you can't play.
The Business Side of things
Marvin is also a bit of an outlier off the field. He represented himself in contract negotiations—no big-name agent taking a 3% cut. He signed a four-year, $35.37 million deal that is fully guaranteed. He’s smart. He’s professional. He treats the NFL like a 9-to-5 job, which is exactly why his ceiling is still through the roof.
If you're looking for the next step in following his career, pay attention to his "target share" in the red zone. That’s where the real value is. In 2024, he was often a decoy. In 2025 and moving into 2026, he’s becoming the primary option when the field shrinks.
What to watch for next:
- Watch the alignment: If he's lining up in the slot more often, his production will skyrocket because he's harder to double-team there.
- Check the "Catchable Target" rate: As Kyler and Marvin's chemistry grows, this number should climb from the dismal 50s into the 70s.
- Follow the matchups: He struggled against physical, veteran corners like Jaire Alexander early on. Watch how he handles those rematches now that he's stronger.
The "down" rookie year was actually a blessing in disguise. It lowered the heat and allowed him to grow without the 2,000-yard expectations. But make no mistake: the talent hasn't gone anywhere. Marvin Harrison Jr. is still that guy. He just needed the offense to catch up to him.