Revenge of the Birds
When the Arizona Cardinals were on the clock during the 2024 NFL draft, the team needed offensive tackle help, a top receiver, heavy reinforcements in the secondary, and a pass rusher.
The first three to go were all quarterbacks: Caleb Williams (USC), Jayden Daniels (LSU), and Drake Maye (North Carolina). Arizona was next at pick #4.
RELATED: CARDINALS ABSOLUTELY TAKING HARRISON, JR. WITH #4 PICK
Offensive tackle Joe Alt (Notre Dame) was ranked as the best in this draft, but J.C. Latham (Alabama) and Olu Fashanu (Penn State) were not far behind. Three really good pass rushers were available, including Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Dallas Turner (Alabama), and Jared Verse (Florida State). Verse is the player who was involved in the recent Myles Garrett trade.
Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) was considered the top cornerback prospect while Tyler Nubin (Minnesota) was the draft’s #1 safety.
Receivers for QB Kyler Murray’s offense? Marvin Harrison, Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabors (LSU), and Rome Odunze (Washington) were the top three available.
Now? Verse has been to two Pro Bowls and was named “NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.” Nabors made the NFL All-Rookie Team, was voted to a Pro Bowl, and has set three NFL records. Mitchell was elected to the NFL All-Rookie Team, was named First Team All-Pro, went to one Pro Bowl, and has a Super Bowl ring. Alt made the NFL All-Rookie Team, plus was voted to a Pro Bowl.
All of these accolades are in just two NFL seasons.
The Cardinals chose Harrison, Jr. with the fourth overall pick and another receiver, Tejhaun Palmer (UAB), in Round 6.
A look at his college resume, and one can see why they took Harrison:
Harrison was listed as 6’-3”, 220 pounds with a wingspan of 6’-5 ¼.” He chose not to run the 40 at the Combine or his Pro Day, so that has never been confirmed, although various scouts have calculated his time to be between 4.4 and 4.5. In a game against Youngstown State, Harrison, Jr. was clocked running 22.22 MPH as he ascended towards a touchdown.
His speed, YAC numbers, and body control made him a “can’t miss” prospect. He scored 31 TDs in college. The Cardinals knew what an elite receiver was like, having employed guys like Roy Green, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Mel Gray, Sonny Randle, and Pat Tilley.
With the knowledge that the top three clubs were going to select a quarterback, Arizona had the entire draft at its feet.
Harrison, Jr. had NFL lineage as his father was already inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The son appeared to be an elite player at a position of great need for the Cardinals, who were looking for explosive help on offense....
