Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the NFL with sky-high expectations. He didn't come close to meeting them during a rollercoaster rookie campaign.
The No. 4 overall pick tallied 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Decent numbers for an average receiver, but far from the output expected from Harrison after his stellar Ohio State career.
The top wideout drafted last year ranked fifth among rookies in receiving yards and fourth among rookie receivers. Brian Thomas Jr. (87/1,282/10), Malik Nabers (109/1,204/7), tight end Brock Bowers (112/1,194/5) and Ladd McConkey (82/1,149/7) all outperformed Harrison.
The Cardinals receiver acknowledged the gulf between his production and that of his peers.
"I'm not going to lie and say I don't pay attention to it," Harrison said Wednesday, via the team’s official website. "You've got to run your own race, though. Everyone is in different situations. Everyone has different journeys. You have to focus on yourself.
"But, I'm not gonna lie," he added, smirking.
Aiming for a breakout second season, Harrison has reshaped his physique. He arrived at training camp weighing 220 pounds, noticeably heavier than last year's 209.
The Cardinals hope the rapport between Harrison and quarterback Kyler Murray improves significantly after last year's struggles.
Cardinals star tight end Trey McBride empathizes with Harrison, recalling his own early challenges before finding his NFL rhythm in his second year.
"I didn't come in and catch a million balls right off the bat," McBride said. "You grow, you figure out your role, and you can't really look at other people because everyone is in a different situation."
For Harrison, reaching the 1,000-yard plateau would be a step forward, and closing the gap with his draft class is another goal. As the offense's clear wide receiver alpha, he should have plenty of opportunities, though personal stats aren't his top priority for 2025.
"Win," Harrison said. "That's what I am looking forward to. Really, just win."
