Marvin Harrison Jr. — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

If the Giants miss out on the top QBs, this is the next-best scenario. New York jumps at the opportunity to drop in a WR1 into what's been a lackluster passing offense in recent years.

Jim Harbaugh was forced to slash his receiver room for salary-cap reasons. Now he adds the draft's best all-around weapon, even if it means using his first pick on a Buckeye. Harbaugh was Marvin Harrison Sr.'s QB during the Hall of Fame wideout's first two seasons in Indianapolis, so the connection runs deep. And Justin Herbert has a No. 1 target again.

The Cardinals could have an opportunity to trade out of this spot, but with six picks in the first three rounds, GM Monti Ossenfort opts to not get too cute and stick here and select a blue-chip pass catcher in Harrison. Harrison is a massive boon for quarterback Kyler Murray and will be a force multiplier for the team's pass-catching corps. The former Buckeyes star drops in alongside Trey McBride as another big-time go-to guy.

Harrison declined to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine and Ohio State's pro day, but the Cardinals have watched his game tape. They're thrilled to make him the first non-QB off the board.

With Keenan Allen traded to the Bears and Mike Williams released, they need to get a receiver in the worst way. Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered by most to be the best.

Besides the Bears' selection of Caleb Williams at No. 1, this is the easiest pick in the draft. Harrison is No. 2 overall on my board and is on par with greats like A.J. Green and Larry Fitzgerald as a prospect. He is explosive, has expert-level route-running traits and displays body control few 6-foot-3 receivers possess. And in this spot, Harrison would have All-Pro potential right out of the gate thanks to quarterback Justin Herbert being on roster. Harrison caught 155 balls for 31 touchdowns in three years at Ohio State and is as polished as they come at wide receiver. With Keenan Allen traded and Mike Williams cut, the door is wide open for a WR1 to enter and dominate.

Chicago just traded for Keenan Allen and has a really solid set of playmakers, but how can you pass up Harrison at No. 9? He reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald -- he's excellent in contested catch situations, has great hands, and gets in and out of his breaks smoothly despite being 6-3 and 209 pounds. He just had his second straight season with 14 TDs and over 1,200 receiving yards (1,211). What better way to put Caleb Williams in a position to be successful than loading up his supporting cast?

The trade-down potential seems genuine, especially since adding picks never goes out of style, and snagging an offensive tackle (in the nine to 13 range) is the natural tone-setter for coach Jim Harbaugh. However, the team that traded Keenan Allen and released Mike Williams isn't passing on one of the top receiver candidates in years.