The Arizona Cardinals finally came back down to earth on Sunday, dropping their first game of the season in a gut-wrenching 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
It wasn’t just a tough defensive battle; it was a game that slipped through Arizona’s fingers. Literally.
Cardinals Fall to 49ers: Is Marvin Harrison Jr. to Blame for Key Drops?
All eyes were on Cardinals’ second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who had the kind of night every wideout dreads. He dropped two critical passes, including a wide-open deep ball from Kyler Murray that could have flipped momentum and a touchdown pass in the end zone.
Those two plays alone could have changed the outcome. Harrison, emotional after the game, didn’t sugarcoat it. “It hurts your team. And I’ve gotta get better,” he admitted.
The NFL’s reality is that a single drop can occasionally decide the outcome of a game. Nobody can dispute Harrison Jr.’s extraordinary potential, but Arizona needs him to be the difference-maker rather than the liability when the stakes are high. At this moment, that pressure is beginning to increase.
Let’s face it, Arizona’s receiving group isn’t performing up to par. Although tight end Trey McBride has been Murray’s safety net, Harrison and Michael Wilson haven’t developed the one-two punch chemistry that fans had hoped for, and the offense still lacks that additional spark on the outside. The Cardinals will require more firepower if they hope to remain competitive.
Will Arizona Select Arizona State Product in First Round of 2026 Draft?
That’s why early draft chatter is already buzzing. According to PFSN’s 2026 mock draft, the Cardinals are projected to grab Arizona State superstar Jordyn Tyson in the first round, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense.
Tyson has been lighting up the Big 12 this season, leading in targets, receiving yards, and touchdowns, and that’s no doubt due to his skill set. He’s already piled up 19 touchdowns in his college career, proving he knows how to find the end zone.
“The Arizona State superstar is a graceful accelerator with slick route running and a lightning-quick change of direction,” PFSN’s Owain Jones said.
Tyson isn’t just fast, he’s polished. Slick routes, explosive acceleration, strong hands in traffic, he checks the boxes. And the idea of keeping an ASU star right at home in Arizona? That’s the kind of story fans can rally behind.
The Cardinals aren’t in panic mode, not at 2-1, but the writing’s on the wall. Harrison Jr. will get more chances to prove himself, and he may still become the elite weapon everyone expects.
But if the growing pains continue, the Cardinals might not wait around. Adding Tyson could give Murray the arsenal he needs to push Arizona over the top, finally.
