When the best high school players are ready for the next level, they get to pick what college team they play for. The same isn’t true when preparing for the NFL Draft. Teams who have a top pick, like the Arizona Cardinals, typically don’t have a lot of prospects eager to join their rebuilding effort.
But the Cardinals’ current culture may be turning the tides, and players are taking notice.
According to Cardinals offensive tackle and former Ohio State star Paris Johnson Jr., even Marvin Harrison Jr. would be excited about playing for Arizona too.
“I literally went to Marvin and was like, ‘Dude, you know you’re a Cardinal, right?'” Johnson recalled during an appearance on Cardinals Corner. “I knew he was going to be a Cardinal because I saw what happened with [DeAndre Hopkins]. I’m like, the Cardinals are probably going to want another 6-4 receiver.”
“He said he wanted to be a Cardinal.”
Arizona Cardinals’ Paris Johnson on Marvin Harrison Jr.
If Johnson’s take on Harrison’s interest is legitimate, they could end up as happy teammates. Right now, it appears like the Cardinals are the best, most likely landing spot for the star Ohio State receiver, especially if quarterbacks are taken in the first three picks. Yet, there are always a few draft-day surprises, and it’s always possible the Cardinals receive a trade offer they can’t refuse.
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals first-round projections after first NFL free agency wave