National Football League
How Marvin Harrison Jr. Can Make a Year 2 Leap: ‘Marv’s Got to Be Marv’
For those who thought that Marvin Harrison Jr., the top pass-catcher selected in last year’s draft, had a lackluster rookie season, his former receivers coach at Ohio State has a reassuring message: Relax.
Brian Hartline, now the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, anticipates an improvement in Harrison’s performance in his second NFL season. “Marv’s just got to keep being Marv,” Hartline shared. “Whatever success or the perceived lack thereof, it likely wasn’t due to Marv’s process or how he operates. I’m sure there were some other factors outside of his control.”
“Marv’s got to be Marv. He will do that. I’m excited to see what he does in Year 2. Most players make that jump in Year 2, and I truly believe Marv will,” Hartline added.
During their time together at Ohio State, Brian Hartline (left) played a significant role in turning Marvin Harrison Jr. into a top-five NFL Draft pick. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist Torry Holt knows what it takes to make that second-year leap. In his rookie season with the St. Louis Rams in 1999, Holt recorded 52 catches for 788 yards and six touchdowns games games bl777. He followed this up with 82 receptions for 1,635 yards and six touchdowns in his second year, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl after the 2000 season.
Holt attributes his drastic increase in production to spending time at the facility during the offseason to hone his skills. “I didn’t leave St. Louis, and if I did, it wasn’t for long,” Holt explained. “I visited home briefly for some training and to see family, but then I was right back in the building. phdream vip login The coaches called me a gym rat because I was always there.
“I dedicated time to reviewing tape, understanding and better grasping the offense and my role in it, so I could perform at a high level consistently. That was my focus. I stayed around, worked with the coaches when they were available, trained with the strength coaches, and practiced on my own. It didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to be in the building, seeking to improve my craft.”
In his rookie season with the Cardinals last year, Harrison tallied 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns, comparable to the numbers his father, Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., had during his rookie year (64 catches, 836 yards, and eight touchdowns for the Indianapolis Colts in 1996). Harrison’s stats were even better than franchise legend Larry Fitzgerald’s, who had 58 catches for 780 yards in his rookie season with Arizona. In his second season, 2005, Fitzgerald’s performance improved to 103 catches for 1,049 yards, leading to his first of 11 Pro Bowl selections.
Both Fitzgerald and Harrison honed their skills during high school football in Philadelphia. Fitzgerald mentioned that he closely followed Harrison’s journey through high school and college. Fitzgerald’s son, Devin, a high school receiver in Phoenix who is committed to play at Notre Dame, regularly communicates with Harrison after they crossed paths earlier this year.
“He’s a tremendous young player,” Fitzgerald remarked about Harrison. “He had an impressive rookie season, making numerous plays. He also appears to have improved his physical strength. Being able to break through press coverage, maintain physicality in the running game, and address other critical aspects will be a significant advantage for him.”
“I also believe that in Year 2, the game naturally slows down. You become more familiar with the system, the flow of the season, and the schedule. There are fewer unknowns. You’ve been through it already, you’ve played. You understand the hand signals and the necessary adjustments. You know two-minute drills and situational football. All of these elements become noticeably easier as you transition into Year 2. It definitely did for me.”
This offseason, Harrison has remained in Arizona to train, focusing on gaining muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame. While he didn’t disclose the exact amount of weight he’s added, he hopes the additional strength will enhance his consistency in contested catch situations. queen 777 casino login Last season, Harrison had a contested-catch rate of 42.1%, placing him at No. 110 in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. 98jili casino login
Harrison faced challenges with contested catches as a rookie in 2024. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
“Football is a physical game,” Harrison acknowledged. “You encounter many contested catch situations, run-after-catch scenarios, and other challenges. We’ll see how everything unfolds 888jili casino link.”
Among receivers with at least 100 targets last season, only Calvin Ridley (53.3%) had a lower catch rate than Harrison’s 53.4%. Furthermore, Harrison’s average separation of two yards per route run was the lowest among receivers with a minimum of 45 targets, according to Next Gen Stats.
The way Harrison was utilized in Arizona’s offense contributed to those concerning statistics. He was targeted 40 times on in-breaking routes, making 28 receptions for 499 yards (a 70% catch rate) and four touchdowns with one interception, according to Next Gen Stats. On out-breaking routes, Harrison registered 15 receptions for 148 yards on 26 targets, with two touchdowns and an interception (57.7% catch rate).
Perhaps the most alarming statistic is that Harrison had 45 uncatchable targets, the highest in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. This points to a lack of chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray. Harrison remarked that they have been working to strengthen their on-field connection this offseason by increasing their practice repetitions.
“Routes on air,” Harrison described. “We’re out there competing, completing passes, and fine-tuning our timing on routes we practiced last year or are introducing new ones this year. We want to reach a level where we can execute naturally and effortlessly.”
Murray believes this diligent collaboration will translate into improved performance for both Harrison and the Cardinals in 2025. “Now he’s at a point where he’s definitely more comfortable, and I can see that on the field,” Murray commented. “I think that will enable him to play faster and become the player we know he can be.”
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for over a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN, and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on X at @eric_d_williams.
What are your thoughts on Marvin Harrison Jr.’s potential for his second season?