Second-year NFC West wide receiver appears poised to give the 49ers trouble

For years, the San Francisco 49ers were all too familiar with Arizona Cardinals legend and future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald routinely carving up their defense.

So when the Cardinals selected Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Niners fans couldn’t help but think back to Fitzgerald’s string of 100-yard performances against San Francisco.

But Harrison’s rookie season didn’t exactly follow that script.

While solid, his first-year numbers — 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns over 17 games — didn’t quite meet the lofty expectations for a top-tier receiving prospect. Against the 49ers, Harrison totaled seven catches for 99 yards and a touchdown across two matchups — respectable, but far from Fitzgerald-level dominance.

However, that may be about to change as Harrison enters his second season.

Marvin Harrison Jr. bulks up, and the 49ers should take notice

One of the most talked-about developments during the Cardinals’ offseason workouts has been Harrison’s noticeable physical transformation.

According to Pro Football Network:

“The summer is always ‘best shape of his life’ season for NFL players, but that hyperbole might actually be true for Marvin Harrison Jr.
A noticeable gain in muscle mass was the story around the Arizona Cardinals’ 2024 first-round pick at minicamp. Though his rookie numbers fell short of expectations last year, he remains a prime breakout candidate entering Year 2.”

And it’s tough to ignore.

If there was any criticism of Harrison heading into last year’s draft, it was that he appeared a bit lean for his 6-foot-3, 209-pound frame.

Now, those concerns—minor as they may have been—seem to have been completely put to rest.

Of course, adding muscle doesn’t automatically translate to improved production, and it’s still reasonable to wonder how much Harrison can elevate his game within a Cardinals passing offense that, outside of standout tight end Trey McBride, remains relatively thin on proven weapons.

That said, with San Francisco set to face Arizona twice in divisional play this season, Harrison enters Year 2 as a much more imposing threat—both figuratively and literally—than he was as a rookie.