2024 NFL Draft Profile: Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Marvin Harrison Jr.

Position: Wide Receiver

School: Ohio St

Play Style: Outside X-Receviver

Age: 21

DOB: 8/11/2002

Height: 6'3

Weight: 209 lbs

40-Time: 4.39

FantasySP Position Ranking: 1

Round Projected: Top Five Overall

NFL Comp: CeeDee Lamb

Summary

We compared Harrison to CeeDee Lamb here, but as great as Lamb has been, that doesn't do him justice. He is undoubtedly the best wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft and one of the best receiver prospects in a very long time. Not only is he the best receiver in this draft, he's also the best overall player in this draft.

Harrison is as safe of a pick as you can take and also has as high of a ceiling as you can imagine. There is very little not to like about him and a lot to love. While his father was an outstanding wide receiver who has found his way to Canton, Ohio, and boasts a Super Bowl ring to go along with a long list of records, Jr. is twice the prospect his dad was. This is a can't-miss selection and wherever he gets drafted probably won't be high enough. 

Strengths

- Elite athlete

- Ideal size

- Hall of Fame pedigree

- Highly productive on all levels of the field

- Both a high volume and highly efficient receiver

- Outstanding body control

- Impressive route running 

- Full route tree

- Great hands

- Changes speeds well

- Excellent footwork

- Quick and explosive in his breaks

- Creates separation with ease

- Can go up and win 50/50 balls over defenders

- Will run by defensive backs downfield

- Maintains concentration and tracks the ball well

- Will adjust to bad passes and broken plays and make his QB look good

Weaknesses

- Occasionally struggled to get quick releases off the line when pressed by bigger cornerbacks

- Can be indecisive getting into his breaks at times

- At times was knocked off his routes by physical defensive backs

- Doesn't break a ton of tackles

- Holds the ball loosely at times after the catch

Our Take

I've been grading wide receiver prospects for a long time now and Harrison is in my top three rookie prospects that I've ever graded. The only two I was more confident would be an elite wideout on the next level were Calvin Johnson and Mike Evans. Ja'Marr Chase may have also been in that conversation had he played the season prior to entering the NFL Draft.

Outside of injuries or some sort of off-field incident, Harrison is much of a can't miss pick as you can get in the draft. The first team that doesn't need to invest in a quarterback is making a mistake if he isn't their pick and if he falls past the third pick it will be a mistake. The only players who should even be considered as options ahead of him are Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels and that's because of the value of their position, not that they are better football players.