Marvin Harrison Jr., the former top five draft pick, has absolutely not lived up to the hype, and NFL executives are already asking if the Arizona Cardinals should cut bait before his value totally tanks, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. While the Cardinals haven’t publicly made Harrison Jr. available, his startling lack of production combined with Arizona’s ongoing rebuild makes a trade a real possibility, maybe even a likely one, before the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
The Cardinals’ Costly Dilemma with Harrison Jr.
This isn’t just about a slow start; we’re talking about a sharp decline after a promising rookie season. Harrison Jr. put up 62 catches, 885 yards, and eight touchdowns in his first year. Fast forward to 2025, and he was already surpassed by Michael Wilson in an injury-marred season. Now, through just two games of 2026, the numbers are brutal: four targets, one reception, and a measly 33 yards. Ouch. He’s only 24, so there’s definitely time to turn it around, but the Cardinals are staring down a huge decision on his rookie contract’s fifth-year option. That would lock him in for 2028 at a cost of just under $20 million. Arizona might rather stack up draft assets now than commit that kind of cash to a sputtering receiver, especially with their 1-1 start giving them minimal postseason hopes in the NFL’s toughest division.
Who’s Ready to Bet on the Talent?
Despite the struggles, Harrison Jr.’s raw talent is undeniable, and several teams could be ready to roll the dice. The **Atlanta Falcons** are in the middle of their own rebuild and have stumbled out of the gate, looking borderline unwatchable at times. Harrison Jr. could be a WR1b alongside Drake London, thriving in the space created by short-range threats like Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. His approximate $9 million cap hit for 2027 is a steal for a potential second receiver, leaving the Falcons cash to fill their many other holes.
Then there are the **Tampa Bay Buccaneers**. Baker Mayfield got a huge $165 million extension through 2028, but he’s playing like the league’s 30th-best quarterback right now. Adding another talented, but mercurial, wide receiver isn’t a magic bullet for an offense that already has Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Ted Hurst. However, Harrison Jr. could be crucial insurance if Chris Godwin, who played 16 games across 2024 and 2025 combined, faces more injuries. He would also bring back a field-stretching dimension that the Bucs lost when Mike Evans saw his foot speed decline and became a San Francisco 49er.
Finally, the **Green Bay Packers** could use the help. Their receiver room has been absolutely gutted: Romeo Doubs is a New England Patriot, and Dontayvion Wicks is now a Philadelphia Eagle. Jayden Reed missed a chunk of 2025 and left Week 2 on the injury cart. While Harrison Jr.’s downfield style is a bit similar to Christian Watson’s, his sheer talent would be a massive reinforcement for an offense that has thrived with young receiving talent under Matt LaFleur.
It’s been a tough day for our guys, with the Houston Astros shutting out the Seattle Mariners 7-0. Brutal. But hey, in the NFL world, the trade deadline is looming, and it’s going to be wild to see if a team is willing to pay up for Harrison Jr.’s potential.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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