Marvin Harrison Jr. would like to play in the preseason. He could use the reps, he said, and in fact, thinks the college game could use a preseason game or two as well so players could be better prepared for the season.
Yet, it is what Harrison will do in the games that count that draws the interest. The fourth overall pick is going to be the Cardinals’ top wide receiver. How that translates to the statistics Harrison piles up will be a weekly storyline.
If Harrison has any specific objectives he is trying to reach, he isn’t saying.
“Everybody has individual goals,” Harrison said after practice on Thursday. “Here, it’s team-first, so whatever my goals might be, I try to put the team-first. They brought me here to win, so that’s my No. 1 goal, to help this team win football games.”
Harrison has looked terrific in camp so far, but again, that was predicted. He draws high praise from whomever is asked, whether it be about his work ethic, ability, or attitude.
“You watch him (and) when a guy’s got it, he’s got it,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “He definitely has it.”
Anquan Boldin was the last Cardinals rookie to have 1,000 yards receiving, with 1,377 back in 2003. Starting with that season, 28 wide receivers have been chosen with top 10 picks in the draft prior to 2024.
Of those 28, only six managed to have 1,000 yards in their first season. Three of those – Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Garrett Wilson – have been drafted in the past three seasons.