Marvin Harrison Jr. admits to massive mistakes since Cardinals Week 1
It's never a good development when a team's top-five pick finishes his first game with as many yards as his draft slot.
Yet that's what happened to Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, finishing Week 1 with a stunning line of one catch for 4 yards on just three targets in a 34-28 loss to the Bills.
It's a problem quarterback Kyler Murray is seemingly set to rectify in Week 2 when the Cardinals host the Rams in an NFC West battle of 0-1 teams.
“Obviously, we want to get him more touches, that's no secret,” Murray said Wednesday. “I definitely don't want to force anything.”
Of all the surprising Week 1 stat lines, Harrison's might be the most surprising.
Pundits expected immediate greatness from the son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, with some speculating that he would already be a top NFL receiver while playing last season for Ohio State.
One game — good or bad — doesn't make or break a career, but Harrison stood out with just one catch on three targets in a game where top NFL receivers were mixed with opportunities.
Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had nine targets, while fellow tight end Greg Dortch had eight. Murray said the Bills tried not to let Harrison get single coverage during the game.
A viral clip emerged showing Harrison wide open for a potential game-winning touchdown that Murray didn't see, but ESPN's Dan Orlovsky explained that the screengrab made it look worse than it actually was, indicating that it would be difficult for Moore to find Harrison. Game development.
Harrison admitted his disappointment with his performance, saying it was “not great”, according to ESPN.
“That's why it brought me here to help the team, to help the offense go,” Harrison said, per the outlet. “So, I have to do better going forward.
“I have to get open and catch the ball. This is my job as a receiver. This is your job description. That's what I need to do better.”
Murray came under some criticism after Sunday's loss for saying force-feeding Harrison targets was “not my job,” leaving that up to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
While the comment raised some eyebrows since the job should be to get your best players the ball, he seemingly made up for his lack of experience playing with Harrison.
The two did not share the field in the preseason, and Harrison totaled three preseason snaps. Murray says that connection comes with time.
Harrison agrees that things will improve with the more reps he plays.
“A lot of thinking,” Harrison said, per ESPN. “I was definitely thinking a lot out there and I think that will come with reps, thinking less and going out there and playing. It will definitely come with reps and it's something I'll get better at, but I must say I was thinking a lot there.”
Murray finished 21 of 31 Sunday for just 162 yards, with no receiver reaching 50 yards.
The Cardinals brought in Harrison hoping to provide the alpha receiver they previously had in DeAndre Hopkins, and Murray is confident the duo will make it work.
“Nothing changes. We've got absolute confidence in what we're capable of,” Murray said. “I'll never lose faith in Marv. His first game, we've got to improve and we will.”
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