Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

In another must-win Arizona Cardinals game, Marvin Harrison Jr. was absent. Whether you’re a fantasy football owner or a Cardinals fan, the Harrison Jr. hype hit before the season even started. Low to inconsistent production, big drops and gains, not the game-breaker or game-changer the Cardinals hoped and needed.

Arizona bought the hype, Not reality

Harrison Jr. doesn’t seem to be smart enough to create something out of nothing. He can’t get open on the fly to help quarterback Kyler Murray when plays fall apart.

But the biggest and most noticeable part of his game that’s missing is a disciplined route tree. At 6’3″, MHJ is a big target, but he doesn’t use it to his advantage. Given his length, he should be able to go up and get the ball over a defender, but he doesn’t or can’t do that.

For more NFL content, check out the links below:

–Kyler Murray is a soft spot for the Arizona Cardinals

-2024 will be Kyler Murray’s final season with the Arizona Cardinals

–Sam Darnold will replace Kyler Murray on the Arizona Cardinals

Entering Week 17 with the Los Angeles Rams, Harrison Jr. has 51 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. If the stats don’t jump out at you, don’t worry because they’re nothing special for a top-five pick.

MHJ is not worth his fourth-round pick

The former Ohio State star has his apologists. Those who say it’s about being a newbie, that he makes mistakes, that he’s still a newbie, etc. aren’t what fans should be most worried about. What they should be worried about is that he’s not producing. The numerous reasons why things will get better are what they said and are still saying about Kyler Murray, and how is that going, Cardinals fans?

Arizona is 1-4 ahead of division rival Los Angeles. There is once again no playoffs for the Cardinals after showing promise earlier this season. But inexplicably, the two generational picks Murray and Harrison Jr. aren’t enough to make them a contender. Maybe things will be better in 2025, maybe not, or maybe everything will be the same as it was in 2024. One thing is certain, and that’s the fact that general manager Monti Ossenfort has two drafts under his belt and little that’s really worth mentioning. In the end, this could be the biggest problem of all.

As for Marvin Harrison Jr., despite all the promise, the fourth overall pick has little to offer. Maybe the hype in his rookie season was too much, or, as more than a few pointed out, Harrison is not what he seems. With its first season almost over, the problems run much deeper.