I love a good year-two breakout story, especially when that player already carries Hall of Fame DNA. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is entering his second year with the Cardinals as the clear WR1 and the high expectations from fans that come with it.
The son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., MHJ was drafted fourth overall by the Cardinals in 2024 and made an immediate impact, even coming close to surpassing his father’s rookie year stats. Is this a sign that a true breakout is just around the corner?
In his rookie season, Harrison Jr. caught 62 passes for 885 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was targeted 114 times—top 20 in the league—but struggled a bit with catchable target rate and efficiency. Harrison Sr.’s 1996 season with the Indianapolis Colts saw him record 64 receptions for 836 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Marvin Harrison Jr. 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook
The WR1 Role Is Locked In
There isn’t too much worry that anyone will come along and snatch the role of WR1 from MHJ. Michael Wilson will see his fair share of routes, and Trey McBride will continue to be a favorite target for Kyler Murray, but Marvin Harrison Jr. is clearly the team’s top option at wide receiver.
He’s spent the offseason bulking up and refining his routes, and the Cardinals coaching staff has praised his physical transformation. According to reports, Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray are spending considerable amounts of time this offseason building chemistry, something that was noticeably lacking in 2024.
That’s a big deal when you realize that nearly 41% of Harrison’s targets last year were labeled as uncatchable. If that number improves, we’re not just talking about a 1,000-yard receiver; we’re talking about a league-winner.
Year Two Breakout?
The numbers suggest a breakout is coming. Harrison already saw a high target volume as a rookie (yes, yes, I know not as high as others in his rookie class). If Murray can continue to stay healthy and improve his passing consistency, it’s not unrealistic to project 1,000+ yards and double-digit touchdowns for Harrison in 2025. CBS Sports has him listed as a 3rd-round pick in redraft leagues, but don’t be surprised if he’s going even earlier.
We know what we’re getting with Marvin Harrison Jr. He has size, speed, good hands, and plenty of volume. The Cardinals drafted him to be a star, and now that he’s more comfortable with the speed and demands of the NFL, 2025 is the year he starts to look like one.
The NPI crew broke down the Cardinals in this quick episode
The Bottom Line
The Cardinals may not be the most hyped-up team or even get much respect in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t filled with fantasy talent. Don’t let win-loss records cloud your fantasy judgment: Marvin Harrison Jr. is a legitimate breakout candidate for 2025. Cardinals fans are gearing up for a playoff-winning season. You’ll want him on your roster when it happens.
Looking for your favorite team? This link will take you to the rest of our 2025 Look Inside team previews.
A Look Inside the Arizona Cardinals
Editor’s Note: While this article focuses on Marvin Harrison Jr in fantasy football, we don’t want to leave you hanging on the rest of the team. Here is a quick look at the other fantasy-relevant Cardinals from Kelly.
Sleeper has Kyler Murray ranked as the QB9, and that feels just about right. He’s coming into 2025 healthy and with a full offseason to sync up with his receivers. Murray has rushing upside and has been a value pick in the later-middle rounds of single-QB leagues. Consider the stack with MHJ.
Despite being out with a knee injury last season in Week 16 and limited play in Week 17, Conner put up 1,040 rushing yards (6th in the NFL), 7 rushing and 2 receiving TDs. Conner ended the year as RB18. While the Cardinals have beefed up the RB room, Conner is still the RB1, and we’re seeing him go anywhere between the 4th and 7th rounds.
A lot of scouts loved Benson coming out of the 2024 draft as a potential three-down back. While he’ll start behind Conner, Conner’s injury history could mean Benson becomes fantasy-relevant at some point in the season. He’s a strong late-round stash in redraft.
Wilson flashed plenty of potential before a neck injury sidelined him for a chunk of 2024. With an average of 15 yards per reception, he still profiles as a deep threat and a sneaky flex option. If the offense takes a step forward, he’ll be part of it. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… the man can catch just about anything.
McBride is coming off a fantastic season as TE2 in 2024. With more offensive weapons around him, he may not command quite as much of the target share, but his connection with Kyler is undeniable. He’s still locked in as a TE1.
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