Cardinals draft OSU WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with No. 4 overall pick

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have selected receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick.nfl draftThe Ohio State star said Thursday night that he hopes he can be the team's leading playmaker for quarterback Kyler Murray.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald, perhaps the team's best player in history, with more than 17,000 yards receiving over 17 seasons before retiring in 2020. There is.

Harrison also has an impressive pedigree. He is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, but is significantly larger than his father and has an unusual combination of size, speed, and athleticism. He caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season with the Buckeyes.

Arizona was in a great position to land one of the top non-quarterbacks in the draft. All teams with top-three picks needed a QB, but the Cardinals had that position in Murray, who has a $230.5 million, five-year contract and is committed to Arizona through 2028. There is a possibility that it will stay.

It was the No. 1 pick in the draft, which was important for the Cardinals.10 more picks in next 3 days, including the No. 27 overall selection later Thursday. Arizona went 4-13 each of the past two seasons.

Cardinals general manager Monty Ossenfort opted to use the No. 4 pick rather than trade down for more picks.

This is his first year with the Cardinals, who started with the No. 3 overall pick, but after making multiple trades on draft night, settled on the No. 6 pick to select offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. It was a different strategy. .

Johnson started all 17 games last season at right tackle.

Harrison should make an immediate impact, especially considering the Cardinals' lack of elite receivers. Tight end Trey McBride broke out in 2023 with 825 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Michael Wilson also had an encouraging rookie season with 565 yards receiving.

But the No. 1 receiver spot is up for grabs, and the Cardinals certainly want Harrison to take it.

https://www.wdtn.com/sports/nfl-draft-sports/cardinals-draft-osu-wr-marvin-harrison-jr-with-no-4-overall-pick/ Cardinals draft OSU WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with No. 4 overall pick