This time of year is when armchair general managers thrive, coming up with moves to try and rebuild rosters all around the NFL. That now includes a bold trade idea involving Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports came up with the idea that it would be smart for the Green Bay Packers to trade for Harrison. In return, he has the Packers sending a 2026 second-round pick (No. 52 overall) and a 2027 third-round pick back to Arizona.
This comes at a time when the Cardinals are going into a rebuild with a new coaching staff. So, as they try to reconstruct the roster, moving on from Harrison in exchange for picks would go a long way to building a deeper roster. Meanwhile, Green Bay would add a player capable of becoming their top wide receiver.
If Arizona were to make a trade like this, however, it would signal to fans just how seriously the Cardinals are taking the 2026 season. With concerns from sources around the league already signaling that the Cardinals may be tanking and building for 2027, that’s a bad look.
“It’s all about 2027 for Arizona,” an agent told Jason La Canfora. “It’s between them and the Jets (for the top pick). They want LaFleur to have his pick of anyone he wants.”
Would the Arizona Cardinals be Getting Fair Trade Value for Marvin Harrison Jr?
GettyArizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Arizona Cardinals took Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. At the time, he was seen as one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory, and at just 23-years-old, he still has plenty of time to reach that ceiling.
In two NFL seasons, he’s played in 29 games, missing five games a year ago. Harrison has managed to snag 103 receptions for 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns in that time. That’s 14.5 yards per reception. So, there have been plenty of flashes of his talent.
Compare that to Jaylen Waddle, who is four years older than Harrison. Over the past two seasons, Waddle snagged 122 receptions for 1,654 yards and 8 touchdowns. That’s 13.5 yards per reception. So, his numbers are just ahead of Harrison’s, but that comes from Harrison’s missed time. This offseason, he was traded for a 2026 first-round pick, as well as a third and a fourth-round pick. A fourth went along with Waddle out.
This proposed trade would only be for a second-round pick this year and a third-round pick next year. That’s a significantly worse package for the Cardinals to be getting in return. Certainly, if the organization still believes in Harrison’s future, they would need much more back to justify giving up his talent.
Mel Kiper Jr. Has Advocated the Cardinals Trade Down in the Draft
GettySeveral Arizona Cardinals players have shared their thoughts on Mike LaFleur and his attempt to challenge them at the start of offseason activities.
As it stands now, the Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft. There’s plenty of debate about how the team should use it, but ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently made it clear that he thinks the answer is to trade down.
“Arizona holds the key to this entire draft after the first two picks in my opinion,” Kiper said. “Because they, to me, are a trade down option. I think Arizona is going to be a team I’m going to look at and say ‘That was a little too high for an offensive tackle.’ Or, do they take somebody else and throw a little curveball in there?”
If the Cardinals were to trade down, they could begin to hoard picks. That’s major for a team with plenty of needs. It would also give them the opportunity to still pick a key position of need.
“You can look at [Spencer] Fano from Utah, [Kaydn] Proctor from Alabama, [Monroe] Freeling from Georgia, factor in [Francis] Mauigoa. You trade down, you’re going to get one of those guys. You’ll have your pick. You can still get your guy by trading down.”
The NFL Draft is now two weeks away. The first round is set to begin on April 23rd. There, the Cardinals will have some major decisions to make.
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