While it might be hard to work out the compensation, the San Francisco 49ers should absolutely call up the Arizona Cardinals and make an offer for Marvin Harrison Jr. this season.
When the Cardinals selected Harrison with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he was considered one of the best wide receiver prospects in a long time. And yet, he’s been underwhelming in Arizona. Since going pro two seasons ago, the Ohio State product has hauled in 104 passes for 1,526 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Harrison’s production with the Cardinals has fallen off a cliff since his rookie year. In fact, he hasn’t recorded 70 receiving yards or more in a game since Nov. 3, 2025.
So why should the 49ers go after Harrison? For starters, their wide receiver room is severely lacking youth right now. They’re relying on Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel to lead the charge at ages 33 and 30, respectively. Their depth chart is so thin right now that Brandin Cooks was just signed to the practice squad at the age of 32.
It’s also possible that Harrison is just checked out in Arizona. If he were traded to the 49ers, he’d get a fresh start behind a masterful play-caller in Kyle Shanahan.
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Cardinals probably won’t give up on Marvin just yet.
Following the Cardinals’ Week 2 loss, Mike LaFleur was asked about Harrison’s slow start to the season (one catch for 33 yards).
“It’s a long season — we’re two games in,” LaFleur said. “There were some opportunities yesterday that I thought that either the defense dictated that it couldn’t go there or just self-inflicted wounds — it was kind of 50-50.”
The Cardinals seem committed to Harrison right now, but it might just take one trade offer for them to change their stance.
Harrison is currently under contract through the 2027 season and has a club option for 2028.
