The Arizona Cardinals showed major signs of improvement during the 2024 NFL season. Arizona is looking to make a step toward making the playoffs in 2025.
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Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In order for the Cardinals to take that next step, quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. are going to have to be on the same page on offense. Harrison was the first wide receiver taken off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected fourth overall from the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Cardinals have there number one wide receiver for the next decade, but Harrison will need to be more dominant in season two.
Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Potential X-Factor For the 2025 NFL Season
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Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Harrison had a nice rookie season for Arizona, but it is time for him to take the next step this season after New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was impressive during his rookie season. At the time the Cardinals drafted him, many people had him as the top wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Josh Weinfuss of espn.com thinks that Harrison is the player on the Cardinals who will be the X-factor for this team during the 2025 NFL season. Weinfuss said,
“After his good-but-not-great rookie season, the expectation around the Cardinals is that Harrison will make the coveted jump in Year 2. Through training camp, he looks like he’s on pace to do just that. He added 11 pounds of muscle and is moving as quickly as he did when he was lighter. Harrison’s performance this season — whether he can consistently show up throughout a full game, make tough catches and put up big numbers — could dictate whether the Cardinals make the playoffs.”
During his rookie season, he caught 62 passes for 885 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, along with averaging 14.3 yards per carry. Harrison was targeted 116 times. He has a chance to go over 1,000 yards during his second NFL season. Harrison played in all 17 games last year for the Cardinals.
As long as he is healthy this season, Harrison has to be the number one target for quarterback Kyler Murray. He has the talent to be a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL and this needs to be the year he goes over 1,000 yards receiving and get in the endzone 10 times or more.
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