Projecting Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 2025 production, historically

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the league last year with massive expectations after he was selected fourth overall in the 2024 NFL draft. He fell short of lofty expectations, but his 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns were solid. In fact, he had the second-most receiving yards by a rookie in franchise history and tied the rookie record in touchdown receptions, matching Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

But entering his second NFL season, again, expectations are high.

He is expected to break out.

But what can we expect from Harrison in Year 2?

Historically, first-round receivers for the Cardinals have done well.

Arizona Cardinals first-round receivers in Year 2

Since 1999, the Cardinals have drafted four receivers in the first round before Harrison — David Boston in 1999, Bryant Johnson in 2003, Larry Fitzgerald in 2004 and Michael Floyd in 2012.

David Boston

Boston had 40 receptions for 473 yards and two scores as a rookie in 1999. But his jump in Year 2 was significant. In 2000, he had 71 receptions for 1,156 yards and seven scores.

Yardage increase: 144%

Reception increase: 77.5%

Bryant Johnson

Johnson was the most disappointing first-round receiver the Cardinals selected in this time frame. He wasn’t terrible but never was great. As a rookie in 2003, he caught 35 passes for 438 yards and a touchdown. He was overshadowed by Anquan Boldin’s rookie year, who had 101 catches for 1,377 yards and eight scores.

In 2004, Fitzgerald’s rookie season, Johnson improved to 49 catches for 537 yards and a score.

Yardage increase: 22.6%

Receptions increase: 40%

Larry Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald, selected third overall, had a solid but modest rookie season like Harrison. He had 58 receptions for 780 yards and eight touchdowns. He saw a big increase in his second season. In 2005, he had 103 catches, which led the NFL that year, 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Yardage increase: 80.6%

Receptions increase: 77.6%

Michael Floyd

Floyd’s rookie season was 45 catches for 562 yards and two touchdowns. In 2013, he had his only 1,000-yard season. He caught 65 passes for 1,041 yards and five touchdowns.

Yardage increase: 85.2%

Receptions increase: 44.4%

What can we expect from Marvin Harrison Jr.?

Boston, Fitzgerald and Floyd all had significant jumps in their second seasons. All were 1,000-yard receivers. Each saw a yardage increase of at least 80% and a receptions increase of at least 44%.

A 40% increase in receptions for Harrison in Year 2 would mean 87 catches. A yardage increase of 50%, 30% lower than the percentage increase Fitzgerald had, would mean 1,328 in 2025.

Would 87 catches for 1,328 yards be good enough for fans?

Even if we go with the same per-catch average Harrison had as a rookie (14.3 yards), 80 receptions would mean 1,144 yards. At 87 catches, that would be 1,244 yards.

If Harrison can improve similarly to Boston, Fitzgerald and Floyd, then it will be a big season.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: What can we expect from Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2025 historically?

Projecting Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 2025 production, historically

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