The Arizona Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft in hopes of giving quarterback Kyler Murray a star option at the wide receiver position for the long term. In doing so, the Cardinals’ management elected to pass on Malik Nabers out of LSU, who went two picks later to the New York Giants.
Following a fantastic rookie season from Nabers, which included seven touchdowns and a Pro Bowl appearance, former NFL scout turned podcast host John Middlekauff says the Cardinals selected the wrong receiver, and they now regret their decision.
Do the Cardinals Regret Drafting Marvin Harrison Jr.?
With the 2025 NFL Draft right around the corner, Middlekauff recently made some interesting comments regarding last year’s NFL Draft when he appeared on “The Colin Cowherd Podcast” with the well-known NFL analyst.
“This is the hard part about the draft — there’s no such thing as a ‘high floor’ because any player may not work out. It doesn’t matter [who you are]. Your floor is determined once you get to the NFL,” Middlekauff said.
“All I heard last year was like, ‘Marvin Harrison’s floor is so high and Malik [Nabers] could be boom or bust.’ And then you watch, you’re like, ‘You don’t think the Arizona Cardinals regret not going Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr.?’ Because they do. And the Giants benefited from them making that choice.” Middlekauff continued on.
“I think we use that term a lot. Ceilings are real; certain guys have high ceilings. … But a floor? We’ve seen all sorts of players not work in the NFL. You never know,” Middlekauff finished his statement with.
Middlekauff’s comments underscore how many scouts and analysts viewed Harrison as the safe pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Harrison was deemed the kind of prospect who was expected to make an immediate impact with minimal risk.
In contrast, Nabers, while widely recognized for his explosive upside and greater celling, carried the perception of being a player with more risk of failing to turn out in the big leagues. His selection in the top four was considered a gamble, with some questioning whether his game would translate cleanly to the next level.
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With hindsight and a Pro Bowl season from Nabers in the books, the narrative has shifted. Harrison went from the consensus top receiver in the draft to a possible misfire at fourth overall, and now, Middlekauff is criticizing the Cardinals’ decision.
It has only been one season, and anything can change between the two wide receivers. However, the Cardinals’ front office will be under continuous pressure to win in hopes of making the fans and media alike forget their most recent mistake if Nabers continues to flourish as he did in Year 1.
Harrison did indeed show flashes in his rookie campaign, and given his elite production at Ohio State University, his potential is still promising. If the young receiver can steadily improve, Cardinals management can only hope he will blossom into a true wide receiver, which could make Nabers’ stardom irrelevant in Arizona.
Harrison and Malik Nabers: Rookie Receivers Compared
Harrison had an underwhelming rookie season as the fourth overall selection, but by no means is the receiver in bust territory. Harrison came out of the gates on fire and sparked potential elite conversations following his two touchdowns and 130 receiving yards performance in week two against the Los Angeles Rams.
However, he cooled off later in the year, going on to collect 62 receptions, 885 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. On the bright side, Harrison was a solid red-zone target for his quarterback, and he will look to build on that, as well as hone his overall skills in his upcoming sophomore year.
Nabers put up an elite rookie season with the Giants, all while catching passes from four different quarterbacks. Nabers was elected to the Pro Bowl with elite stats in Year 1. With 109 receptions, 1,204 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns, Nabers took the league by storm and became the go-to playmaker for the Giants right out of the gate. Nabers has made his name one to pay close attention to for years to come.
Middlekauff claims the Cardinals made a mistake selecting Harrison over Nabers. Although the receivers’ rookie seasons clearly proved that Nabers was superior on a less-than-impressive three-win Giants team no less, their fates are far from being decided. Harrison has a crucial Year 2 ahead as he hopes to put the critics to bed, but his production must improve significantly to vanish any regret from Cardinals management.