What Each Top WR Brings to Cardinals

The NFL Draft's top wideouts each bring different abilities to the table.

ARIZONA -- The 2024 NFL Draft is just weeks away and the Arizona Cardinals are completing their draft board and meeting with several of the class’ top prospects, including the wide receiver position. 

The Cardinals have met with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., the most coveted of all the receivers in the class, LSU’s Malik Nabers, a receiver who has ridiculous big-play ability and is the top receiver in most other classes, and Washington’s Rome Odunze, better known as “DOOMSDAY” (trademark pending).

All three of these guys press different buttons for what you look for in a top receiver, but they should all tickle the Cardinals’ fancy and be sought after prospects whether the team picks at four or 11 or anywhere else.

Of course, we’re here to discuss how each guy fits and what they bring to the table. While each of these three players profiles as an X-receiver or a WR1 at the next level, they each bring something different to the table.

Let’s break down who brings what and how each guy fits into the offense.

Marvin Harrison Jr. 

The man known as MHJ brings quite a bit to the table from the physical an athletic standpoint that few others can match. The 6’3, 209-lbs pass catcher is impressive at all three levels of the field with sudden explosiveness and God-given abilities.

Although Harrison had some uncharacteristic drops this past season, it didn’t stop him from winning the Fred Biletnikoff Trophy as the nation’s top receiver and he entered the process as a near-consensus WR1. It’s hard not to be when you look and play like Harrison does.

At the next level, Harrison is an immediate WR1 for just about every of the 32 teams. It’s an easy plug-and-play for the Cardinals, who lack size at the position and certainly don’t have a guy who brings everything to the able the way Harrison does.

It goes without saying, but MHJ is an easy slot here and can be what the Cardinals got from DeAndre Hopkins in 2020.

Malik Nabers

While Nabers isn’t the biggest receiver in the world at 6’0, 200-lbs, he is as explosive as they come with yards-after-catch ability that is as good as it gets in his class if not the best. There were few receivers this past season that were as dangerous as Nabers was wit the ball in his hands and for my money’s worth, he was snubbed of the Biletnikoff Trophy.

Politics aside, Nabers might be the most explosive player in the draft with the ball in his hands. Nabers is the stereotype of “get him the ball” and for good reason. There were few players at any offensive skill position who did the things Nabers did in 2023.

With the Cardinals, I believe that the team would get what they thought they were going to get when they traded for Marquise Brown. Nabers has top-end speed to take the top off the defense while also being able to get the ball underneath and get the yards-after-catch numbers.

His fit is as simple as putting the ball in his hands, but he’ll make his money in the intermediate-to-deep spots on the field and be the home run weapon.

Rome Odunze 

The man whom I have dubbed “DOOMSDAY” plays like the destroyer of worlds in how he is able to catch whatever ball is thrown into his general vicinity. It feels like all you have to do is put it in Odunze’s zip code and he’s coming down with the ball.

That kind of “my ball” mentality is beyond attractive when looking for a top receiver, and Odunze has just that. He’s also got great size at 6’3, 212-lbs, which will allow him to post up and box out defensive backs. It’s simply an asset you can’t teach.

But Odunze already plays like a dawg on the field, which makes it easy to simply allow him to get contested catches.

There have been comparisons between Odunze and Larry Fitzgerald, but I like him more of a Dez Bryant kind of receiver. While Odunze won’t blow you away with speed, he will beat you at the point of attack and a guy with suction cup hands will fit right in at the next level. The fit here is simple – see ball, get ball.

Editors note: This article was written by Richie Bradshaw, not Donnie Druin.