Marvin Harrison Jr.: Ups and Downs in the Arizona Cardinals’ Receiving Game

Marvin Harrison Jr., the young and promising wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, has been experiencing a mix of highs and lows in the 2024 NFL season. Despite his impressive Week 2 performance against the Los Angeles Rams, where he caught four passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, Harrison Jr.’s production has been inconsistent in recent weeks.

In the Cardinals’ latest game against the Washington Commanders, Harrison Jr. caught only two of his seven targets for 36 yards. This outing continues a trend where his yards have dropped for four consecutive weeks. His connection with quarterback Kyler Murray has been a point of concern, with Harrison Jr. ranking last in average separation rate among receivers at 1.9 yards, according to Next Gen Stats.

Despite these challenges, Harrison Jr. remains a key figure in the Cardinals’ receiving corps, leading the team with a 25% target share this season. However, his catch rate of 48.6% is among the worst in the league. Fantasy football managers are advised to consider trading him based on his Week 2 performance, as his current usage does not match the expectations set by that standout game.

Looking ahead to Week 6, Harrison Jr. and the Cardinals face the Green Bay Packers. While the matchup is considered the 8th easiest opponent for the week, Harrison Jr.’s performance will be closely watched given his recent form. His projections for the game include 5.1 receptions, 66.9 receiving yards, and 0.4 receiving touchdowns.

Despite the ups and downs, Harrison Jr.’s immense upside keeps him as a must-start in all fantasy football formats. His ability to make clutch plays, such as the fourth-down conversion that led to the game-winning field goal against the San Francisco 49ers, underscores his potential and importance to the Cardinals’ offense).