The 45th annual NFL Draft began Thursday in Detroit and the Arizona Cardinals had the No. 4 and No. 27 picks in the first round.
Like many mock drafts predicted, The Cardinals used their fourth overall pick to select 6’3”, 209 pound Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Widely regarded as the most talented receiver coming out of college, Harrison was indeed the first wide receiver taken in this draft class. Known for his sure handedness and his ability to run after the catch.
Many football fans compare Harrison to Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald who was a similar stature at 6’3” and 218 pounds.
Following his selection on ESPN’s draft coverage, Harrison talked about the type of player he intends to be in an interview with an NFL Network reporter.
“I just wanna go out there and work as hard as I can, be the best player that I can be,” Harrison Jr. said.
Jacob Rivera is a Brophy graduate who is now a Junior at Arizona State University. He told Northeast Valley News whether he thinks Harrison will make an immediate impact.
“I definitely think we’re still building….I’m hoping that we see some changes, but Kyler [Murray] and the coaching need to get it together first,” Rivera said.
There is a good bit of controversy among Cardinals fans as to whether Murray is truly a franchise quarterback, because Arizona is paying him as one.
Harrison should be a good compliment to Murray’s ability to scramble and extend plays as Harrison can use his quickness to get open and his height to catch passes above defenders.
Near the end of the first round, Arizona looked to add towards their defense when they took Darius Robinson, an Edge rusher from the University of Missouri with pick No. 27.
Marcel Davenport is a Cardinals fan who has been in the valley for over ten years. He seemed pleased with the Cardinals choice in Robinson.
“It is good to add to our defense… Budda Baker needs help on that side of the ball,” Davenport said.
The Arizona Cardinals have the worst ranked defense in the NFL at the moment and they are definitely hoping that Darius can stop some quarterbacks from advancing the ball.
With the first round completed, the Cardinals look to continue to build their staff of rookies with nine additional picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
