The WR Prospect Who Can Save the Vikings’ Chances at Drafting a Top QB in 2024
Josh Frey
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At the end of the day, the Minnesota Vikings likely aren’t going to be targeting a wide receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, there is a WR prospect in this class who can help out the Vikings indirectly because of his truly incredible skillset. That receiver is Marvin Harrison Jr., who seems like a lock to become a top five selection in April. Today’s edition of the Vikings Draft Thermometer series will focus on Harrison’s abilities as a receiver and just how high his ceiling can be at the NFL level.
Overview
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 205 pounds
- Arm Length: TBD
- Hand Size: TBD
- Wingspan: TBD
- School: Ohio State
- Games Watched: Michigan (2022), Georgia (2022), Notre Dame (2023), Penn State (2023), Michigan (2023)
Marvin Harrison Jr. has always had high expectations on the football field simply because of his bloodline. His father, Marvin Harrison Sr., put together a Hall of Fame career with the Indianapolis Colts, and now, Harrison Jr. is looking to leave his own legacy at the NFL level.
Harrison came out of high school as a four-star recruit by 247 Sports and the 21st-ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2021. Somehow, he made this look like an underrating as he went on to turn in a simply fantastic career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, totaling over 1200 receiving yards and 14 receiving TDs in each of the past two seasons. He was a unanimous All-American in both 2022 and 2023 and was named a Heisman finalist for the 2023 season.
Statistics
- 2021: 11 receptions, 139 yards, 3 TDs (13 games)
- 2022: 77 receptions, 1263 yards, 14 TDs (13 games)
- 2023: 67 receptions, 1211 yards, 14 TDs (12 games)
Strengths
In terms of wide receiver prospects, you’re not going to find a player more ready to contribute immediately at the NFL level than Marvin Harrison Jr. He is an incredibly savvy receiver with tremendous route-running ability that often leaves opposing defensive backs turned in circles trying to keep up with him. He stops and changes directions on a dime.
Harrison utilizes his size to win reps in the red zone and complete jump-ball catches downfield. He has the confidence to take on double teams and still haul in passes with his long arms and vice-grip hands that never seem to fail him. He can line up on the boundary and win against larger corners, or he can go into the slot and utilize his speed to burn defenses downfield.
Not only is Harrison capable of contributing as a receiver, but he is already a nuanced blocker in the running game. He is not afraid to mix things up to open up lanes for running backs or on screen passes to other receivers.
Weaknesses
There simply isn’t a ton to criticize in terms of Harrison’s game. He’s about as perfect of a receiving prospect as anyone we’ve ever seen.
If we are to critique Harrison at all, he could certainly benefit from filling out his frame a bit more. He certainly is on the skinnier side for a player of his height, and sometimes, press coverage from the best corners in college football proved to be a bit of a challenge.
Harrison also doesn’t have the greatest first-step explosiveness off the line, but he makes up for it with incredible acceleration and agility as he gets into his routes.
NFL Projection
- Draft Stock: Top Five Pick
- Immediate Role: WR1, Pro Bowl caliber player
- NFL Comp: Marvin Harrison Sr.
- Vikings Draft Thermometer (1-100): 3
Finding an NFL comparison for Marvin Harrison’s game isn’t all that hard. He looks like a taller version of his father on the field with his crisp route-running and wild acceleration downfield. Sure, comparing a player to a Hall of Famer right before he’s played a single snap of NFL football might be premature, but Harrison has all the tools to be just as successful as his father was before him.
The Vikings have virtually no chance of selecting Harrison this spring (although can you imagine what the offense would look like with him alongside Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson?), but he could be the prospect that saves Minnesota’s chances of drafting a top QB this spring if one of the QB-needy teams opts to take a sure-thing receiver.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via 247 Sports, Pro Football Focus and Sports Reference CFB.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.