Sep 14, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) runs the ball defended by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Marvin Harrison Jr. was supposed to be a generational weapon for years to come for the Arizona Cardinals. Instead, so far anyway, the former No. 4 overall pick looks like he's just another guy.

In 19 career starts at the time of this writing, the son of an Indianapolis Colts Pro Football Hall of Famer has just 72 total catches for 1,027 yards and nine touchdowns on 133 targets. Glaringly, he's averaging just 7.7 yards per target, which isn't what you'd expect for someone who feasted on big plays in college at Ohio State. Suffice it to say, while Harrison is still young and growing, that's not exactly the kind of early production the Cardinals (who are simultaneously busy leaning into new desert themes) were hoping for when they drafted him to be their next franchise player.

Perhaps worst of all, Harrison might have an egregious drop problem. In 2024, he dropped five passes in 16 starts. In 2025, after having one of the worst wide-open drops you'll ever see against the San Francisco 49ers, Harrison already has two drops in three games. While there's no (realistic) way this sustains over the long run, he's on pace for roughly (does the math in head) ... for 12 or so drops on the entire season. Woof.

So, what's wrong with Harrison? After seeing the receiver's emotional explanation for his disappointing performance so far following the Cardinals' loss to the 49ers, it almost seems like he's putting too much pressure on himself:

Folks, it's important to remember that professional athletes, while extremely gifted at what they do, are still human. There is such a significant mental and emotional component to consistently performing at the highest level. I'm not going to pretend to know exactly what's wrong with Harrison, if there's anything we can even consistently point to. But it seems apparent to me that he can't let his early struggles get into his head if he's going to get out of this rut.

Now is not the time for toxic negativity if he wants to reach his massive potential as a game-breaking playmaker.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: What's wrong with Marvin Harrison Jr.?

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

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