Marvin Harrison Jr. – Receiver – 21 years old – Junior – Ohio State
Height: 1m93
Weight: 93 kg
2023 stats: 67 receptions, 1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns
Estimated position in the draft: Top 5
NFL Comparison: Larry Fitzgerald
Among the many sons of former NFL players, he is undoubtedly THE reference for this vintage. Like Marvin Harrison Senior, who played for the Indianapolis Colts between the 90s and 2000s, it was in the receiver position that Marvin Harrison Jr. took pleasure in excelling in the university ranks.
With an almost comical exercise for all observers of the man: detecting weak points. Does he really have any? What makes him for many the intrinsically best player in this 2024 draft, and potentially the first player selected, excluding quarterbacks? Response elements.
Highlights of Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Varieties of plots
- Game vision and changes of direction
- Physical response in man-to-man duels
The first word that one could use to describe “MHJ” is undoubtedly confusing. Because seeing his father evolve in his youth, Marvin Jr. took careful note of the weapons at his disposal to expose his opponent. Thus, the Columbus receiver displayed a range of routes making him dangerous in any sector of the field and in any type of situation.
This science of play and space is perfectly enhanced by his excellent support and changes of direction which can clearly put cornerbacks out of harm's way, especially on zone coverage. But don't think that the man-to-man duel scares him. Despite his imposing size, Harrison Jr. knows how to combine his physique and his speed of execution to be one step ahead of press corners and win numerous man-to-man duels. In the red zone, he will undoubtedly be a constant threat.
The arsenal is vast and we almost forget his generally safe hands. Because, despite six balls released in 2023, the Ohio State player was a real ball magnet on the Columbus campus, creating, for example, a lethal connection with CJ Stroud. His performance in the semi-finals of the playoffs, in 2022, against Georgia, is a model of its kind, before his unfortunate exit due to injury, which undoubtedly cost his team the victory.
If Harrison Jr. is monstrous in the air, he also knows how to serve his partners. Far from the label of egocentric player of many receivers, the native of Philadelphia does not hesitate to use his physicality in the blocking phases, and can perfectly contribute to the building when establishing a solid alternation in the ground.
Weaknesses of Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Pure speed
- Relative explosiveness
Concretely, the question is not really “what are its weak points” but “what could be its weak points” as the elements “against” it encourage more questioning than concern.
It's a fact: Marvin Harrison Jr. doesn't seem to be the fastest receiver in this class, and the fact that he chose to skip the Combine and Pro Day workshops organized by his college may in itself insist on this point.
His explosiveness more generally is not really what makes him his trademark. His first step is not dazzling as is his first contact with the defender, which calls into question his way of regularly gaining the upper hand on physical cornerbacks, particularly on deep play.
Harrison knows that he can be poison in the intermediate zone and did not hesitate to favor this sector when it was not always possible to go deep (especially in 2023). This can have repercussions on his production after reception, because he can have this annoying tendency to have his back to the goal once the ball is in hand.
Possible destinations
New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals.
Powerful, smart, elusive… Marvin Harrison Jr. has all the traits of a modern NFL receiver. Yes, his speed is not his primary quality, but it is “compensated” by so many other attributes, which allow him to constantly create separation from his opposite number. Without injury, the Buckeye has a good chance of imitating the great career of his father, now a Hall of Famer, with, at a minimum the path to numerous All-Pro selections, given the man's immense potential.
