Two years ago, the Arizona Cardinals made Marvin Harrison Jr. the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Many viewed the son of the Hall of Fame receiver as a can’t-miss prospect who would quickly blossom into a superstar.
But that hasn’t quite happened yet, as MHJ is yet to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season. As some recent training camp clips have shown, he’s also had a bit of an issue with dropping passes.
Yet, one former NFL MVP doesn’t believe the 23-year-old receiver has an issue with catching the football.
Cam Newton Reveals Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Real Problem
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton addressed Harrison’s apparent case of the dropsies on his “4th & 1 With Cam Newton” podcast and outlined a theory that was interesting, to say the least.
“I don’t think that Marvin Harrison Jr. has a catching issue,” Newton said. “He has a confidence issue. But you understand this too. My last point is this: whether it was Ja’Marr Chase, whether it was DeVonta Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, somebody in that organization, primarily a player, whether the quarterback or receiver, that can resonate with Marvin Harrison and take him under his wing and say, ‘Hey bro, we’re going to get this right.'”
Newton continues his argument that perhaps if Harrison Jr. had someone else on his team that he could look up to, then maybe his confidence and production would improve.
“Because when you have an OG that can help you prepare, and from the simplest things, the amount of balls and footballs from the jug machine that is garnered after each practice, before practice, during training, it’s no question that he’s been working,” Newton argued. “Issue is, when it counts, are you proven to be the best receiver in your class?”
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Well, Harrison Jr. hasn’t been the best receiver in his class through two seasons. Two other receivers, Brian Thomas and Ladd McConkey, both of whom were selected long after the Cardinals’ receiver, have recorded more receiving yards thus far.
Harrison Jr. does rank second in touchdowns, though, with 12. Yet, he also was just 47th in Pro Football Network’s WR Impact Score with a 73.7 grade. That suggests there’s more than enough room for improvement from the 23-year-old.
“Marvin Harrison, if I could kind of put myself in his shoes, probably had this expectation for himself that he hasn’t met yet,” Newton continued. “And he’s extremely frustrated because he knows that [expletive], there’s not a comment, there’s not a word, there’s not a fan that can hold him to an accountability that he holds himself to.
“Still young, entering his third year. So, it’s one of those dynamics that it’s like, bro, you going to have to fix this.”
It’s true, Harrison Jr. probably hasn’t met his own expectations. Chances are, he hasn’t met the Cardinals’ expectations either. But he has plenty of time to make up for it.
