Cardinals aiming to transform offense with dangerous rookie

Marvin Harrison Jr. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals aiming to transform offense with 'freak of nature' rookie

By Bennett Silvyn | Last updated Jul 18, 2024 1:41 PM ET

In a move that could electrify the Arizona Cardinals offense, the team drafted former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. in April. He'll be reuniting with tackle and former college teammate Paris Johnson Jr. in the desert.

Johnson, who anchored the Buckeyes' offensive line during Harrison's standout 2022 season that included 1,263 yards and 14 TD catches, expressed confidence in their upcoming partnership.

"Just throw it to Marvin and we'll be good," the tackle said recently, outlining the strategy to maximize Harrison's impact alongside quarterback Kyler Murray.

“Just throw it to Marvin (Harrison Jr.) and we’ll good.”

Arizona Cardinals LT Paris Johnson Jr. jokes about getting the ball to MHJ, but is serious about how he can setup Kyler Murray and playmakers for success. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/DuTiBtfjjK
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) July 16, 2024

Selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Harrison arrives in Arizona after a decorated college career which was capped off when he won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football. His ability to win one-on-one matchups and manipulate coverage has the Cardinals anticipating a dynamic offensive resurgence.

Last season, Arizona averaged 324.1 yards per game, 19th in the NFL.

Returning from an ACL injury last season, Murray started eight games, winning three. With a full offseason under his belt, the former No. 1 overall pick must boost a Cardinals passing game that struggled last season without high-end weapons at wide receiver. Arizona threw for the 26th-most yards in the NFL last season (3,430).

Murray, entering his sixth NFL season, believes Harrison will elevate the Cardinals' offense to new heights.

"But as far as manipulating coverage and stuff like that," Murray said after mandatory minicamp, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com, "you got a guy (Harrison) out there that can do that and even if he's not open, he's open."

Earlier this week, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride called Harrison a "freak of nature."

Cardinals TE @mcbtrey on rookie first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. “This guy is elite. He’s a freak of nature. A guy of his stature shouldn’t be able to move the way he moves. … Everything he does is elite.”

https://t.co/uuhLORRmPB pic.twitter.com/Ghyk1fNlMr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 16, 2024

With Harrison as a primary target, Arizona is aiming to transform into one of the league's better offenses this coming season.

Cardinals rookies and veterans report to training camp Tuesday.

Bennett Silvyn

Bennett Silvyn expects to graduate in May 2024 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and minors in business, marketing and sports management. Silvyn has interned in marketing and social media for the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission, as a reporter for Arizona Foothills Magazine, in sponsorships for the Arizona Rattlers and in social and digital media for FC Tucson. Silvyn has also reported for the Walter Cronkite Sports Network and The State Press

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