Category: Arizona Cardinals

The Los Angeles Rams division rivals Arizona Cardinals may have buyers remorse with Marvin Harrison Jr

 

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates a touchdown with tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half at State Farm Stadium.

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates a touchdown with tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half at State Farm Stadium.

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr with the fourth overall selection. However, less than one year later, one NFL scout says the Cardinals are regretting their decision, preferring Malik Nabers instead.

 

A former NFL scout told FS1’s Colin Cowherd the Cardinals regretted drafting Harrison, especially after seeing the success of Nabers.

 

“Once you get in the NFL, All I heard last year was like, ‘Marvin Harrison’s floor is so high. Malik [Nabers] could be boom or bust.’ And then you watch, you’re like, ‘You don’t think the Arizona Cardinals regret not going Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr.?’ Because they do. And the Giants benefited from them making that choice,” said John Middlekauff (h/t SportsKeeda).

 

Quite frankly, this is wrong. Sure, right now people believe Nabers is better than Harrison but that can all change. At one point, Jaylen Waddle was preferred to Devonta Smith. Who’s played in more games, has more yards, and has a ring? Smith.

 

It’s too early to say anything about the receiver class. Do the Bears have regrets over drafting Rome Odunze over Brian Thomas Jr? Maybe, but Odunze is about to be a focal point of the offense, just like Harrison, so perhaps let’s give them some time to develop?

 

“Regret certainly is a massive word when it comes to Arizona’s feelings on Harrison.” Wrote Arizona Cardinals On SI beat writer Donnie Druin. “Harrison and Nabers operate in two different roles in two different offensive systems – Nabers being the only option in New York while Harrison was always going to play second fiddle to Arizona’s rushing attack and star tight end Trey McBride.”

 

Remember, McBride just became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, that didn’t happen for no reason.

 

In 2024, Harrison put up more than respectable numbers. He had 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns.

 

The Rams need to watch out because Harrison is due for a big year. The Cardinals and rising star in the coaching ranks, Cardinals’ offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, has plans to take Harrison to the next level. With Kyler Murray seemingly getting his health back, the Cardinals are dangerous, and this whole regret thing is dead wrong.

 

The Rams’ defense have a lot to learn in order to keep Arizona at bay.

 

 

 

 

The Arizona Cardinals should have taken Malik Nabers, according to one former NFL scout.

 

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.

ARIZONA — It’s not often where you can easily match a player to a team during the wild roller coaster that is the NFL Draft, though the pairing of WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Arizona Cardinals made too much sense.

 

The Cardinals needed an infusion of both talent and excitement to their football team after a rough 4-13 campaign under their new regime of HC Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort – and after Harrison’s name was called as the No. 4 overall selection, buzz around the desert was noticably different.

 

Harrison was primed to arrive to Arizona and transform the Cardinals’ offense overnight, providing Kyler Murray a legitimate No. 1 weapon moving into the future while getting more fans in the seats at State Farm Stadium.

 

Harrison’s rookie campaign was met with understandable highs and lows, which drew criticism from outlets both local and national.

 

One former NFL scout told FS1’s Colin Cowherd the Cardinals regret drafting Harrison over the likes of Malik Nabers, who the New York Giants took just a few picks later.

 

“Once you get in the NFL, All I heard last year was like, ‘Marvin Harrison’s floor is so high. Malik [Nabers] could be boom or bust.’ And then you watch, you’re like, ‘You don’t think the Arizona Cardinals regret not going Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr.?’ Because they do. And the Giants benefited from them making that choice,” said John Middlekauff (h/t SportsKeeda).

 

Nabers reeled in 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns on the season, earning Pro Bowl honors with New York during his first season in the league.

 

After Arizona’s 8-9 season, both Gannon and Ossenfort were complimentary of Harrison’s rookie season despite question marks from the outside.

 

“With Marvin, we’re really excited about where he is. Marvin led us in touchdown receptions last year. He was second on our team in receptions and yardage. Certainly, room to grow,” Ossenfort said at the Combine.

 

“Marvin would be the first to say, ‘Hey, there are things that I can do better,’ and he’s hard at work in doing those. He’s been in the facility every day since the end of the season. Really excited about where Marvin is and where he’s going.”

 

Harrison ended the year with 63 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns.

 

“I thought he had a good year. Coming in with the expectations that typically only get put on quarterbacks in the top three, I understand the expectation,” Gannon told reporters after the season ended.

 

“He was a premier player for us. He’s going to continue to be a premier player for us and he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. I look forward to the offseason that he’s about to go through. I look forward to him getting back in the building, playing to the level that I want him to play, that you guys want him to play and that he wants to play most importantly. I know he is going to get there.”

 

Regret certainly is a massive word when it comes to Arizona’s feelings on Harrison.

 

Harrison and Nabers operate in two different roles in two different offensive systems – Nabers being the only option in New York while Harrison was always going to play second fiddle to Arizona’s rushing attack and star tight end Trey McBride.

 

All that said, the rookie himself acknowledged it was a tough first season.

 

“I wouldn’t call it success,” Harrison said. “I’m very grateful that I got to play all 17 games. I was able to stay healthy, besides the Green Bay game. I kind of left that one early. But I’m definitely blessed and grateful for everything I accomplished, but I wouldn’t call it a success,” Harrison said.

 

 

 

Outside linebacker agrees to new pact before free agency starts

 

 

Linebacker Baron Browning pressures 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the 2024 season finale.

Caitlyn Epes/Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Baron Browning pressures 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the 2024 season finale.

When the Cardinals acquired Baron Browning in a trade from the Broncos during the 2024 season, they were encouraged with the kind of pressure the outside linebacker would bring.

 

He became a priority to re-sign for the team — and that became a done deal prior to Browning reaching the open market, after he agreed to a new two-year contract on Sunday. It will be worth a reported $15 million, with incentives that could drive it higher.

 

Browning had two sacks, three quarterback hits and four tackles for loss in the eight games he played in for Arizona after coming over for a sixth-round draft pick. In four NFL seasons he has 11.5 sacks but the feeling is that he fits better in the Cardinals’ defense than in the spot he was being asked to play in Denver.

 

Browning was one of five outside linebackers the Cardinals had on last year’s roster about to enter free agency, which officially opens Wednesday with the negotiation window starting Monday. The others are Julian Okwara, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje and Jesse Luketa.

 

The Cardinals will be getting back BJ Ojulari, who missed all of 2024 with an ACL injury, to help their EDGE group, but they are also expected to look at the position in either free agency or the draft — or perhaps both.

The Arizona Cardinals are still in need of a well-known pass rusher as the offseason approaches.

Arizona Ahead of the free agent offseason next week, the Arizona Cardinals formally confirmed that edge rusher Baron Browning has re-signed. After the Cardinals acquired Browning for a sixth-round pick at the midseason trade deadline, the arrangement, which is reportedly a two-year contract for $15 million ($19 million possible with incentives), saw Browning stay with the team.

Previously, Arizona also inked guys such as Aaron Brewer and Joey Blount to new deals. The move, as expected, garnered some strong reaction from those on social media – maybe for the wrong reasons. Baron Browning Won’t Stop Cardinals From Big Name Signing Browning wasn’t brought to Arizona to emerge into one of the best edge rushers in the league. He’s not anticipated to break Cardinals sack records or make a push for Defensive Player of the Year. That’s life when you’re dealt for a late draft pick

Yet with Browning hitting the market, there was strong interest in what he could develop himself into. That’s why the Cardinals were keen on returning Browning. In a league where you can never have enough help in reaching the passer, Arizona rotates their front seven heavily. Zaven Collins was the only outside linebacker to log more than 26% of snaps in 2024 at 55%.

It’s not like Arizona spent a lot of money on the outside linebacker either, as Browning’s $7.5 million yearly salary ranks 46th among active edge players (Spotrac). If you’re Ossenfort, it’s a good problem to have because even if Browning receives the additional $4 million in incentives, Arizona probably acquired his production for a bargain when compared to market value. Regarding the general manager of the Cardinals, Ossenfort usually works out free agency contracts to give Arizona flexibility to back out of a deal before the player’s final season.

Arizona is expected to have more than $70 million in cap space when it enters free agency. The Cardinals have the weaponry to make a statement even after Browning’s contract expires. Which is still what should be expected. With the Cardinals on the verge of the postseason, a team consisting of Browning, Zaven Collins, and BJ Ojulari isn’t good enough to keep improving. Arizona still has a huge need for a top talent to target the quarterback, whether through trade, free agency, or the draft.

Browning is a rotational piece with potential – but Ossenfort and co. should still be looking to add more juice to the pass rush department. Their latest re-signing doesn’t move that needle or budge any plans.