Marvin Harrison Jr. is almost guaranteed to be the top wide receiver selected in the upcoming NFL Draft. As a result, it sounds like he is taking a pretty shocking approach to the pre-draft process.
According to a report from NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Marvin Harrison Jr. is not expected to work out at the NFL Combine or Ohio State’s upcoming Pro Day, and won’t be hiring an agent to go through the pre-draft process, either.
It’s a pretty surprising move, but as Breer explains, he doesn’t really need to do this.
“He can simply tell NFL teams to turn on the tape—how he runs a 40, or a three-cone drill, or routes on air probably won’t change how high he’s going to go. His sterling reputation as a worker and a person also give Harrison even more flexibility here. That allows everyone to view Harrison’s plan as strictly a business decision, made with an eye towards having a great rookie year, rather than as some reflection on his character,” Breer wrote for Sports Illustrated.
“The funny thing is that it’s not all that different from the decisions made by teams, more and more these days, to keep their coaching staffs home from Indianapolis. Those choices are said to be made because the benefit of going is outweighed by the work that can be done by staying home. In this case, Harrison is not quite staying home, but it’s similar in that there’s a greater benefit for a player of his caliber to get ready for the season, rather than for the standardized physical testing that’s been done at the combine and at Pro Days for decades.”
Still, it’s a pretty shocking move from Harrison, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
No pro day when Malik Nabers is about to run a 4.3 is an interesting choice if you're a 4.4 WR. While Nabers is my WR1 Marvin is WR2 & both are my top two prospects in the draft with both garnering a 6.8. However, there will be more teams with Nabers WR1 than the public thinks https://t.co/LG35Qt6UbK
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) February 26, 2024
Rarely do I agree with players sitting out the combine because it’s a chance to compete, which I think teams like. MHJ should literally do nothing. He can legitimately only hurt his stock. Smart move https://t.co/f3N6BbA47z
— Jordan Katz (@JordanKatz11) February 26, 2024
No agent. No testing at the Combine. Probably not at Pro Day.”
To me these are MASSIVE red flags. If I was Ryan Poles I would stick with M11ney and Ve12s and give t12m a chance! Just get them some help! I don’t want that locker room cancer MHGAY on my team! https://t.co/ckVVKDB7nI
— 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔱𝔥𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢𝔩𝔲𝔨 💔 (@southsideluk) February 26, 2024
While some may perceive it as a red flag, the fact remains: this kid, the offspring of a Hall of Fame WR, has undeniably dominated since stepping onto the football field. The film speaks volumes; what more does he truly need to prove? https://t.co/cywgdyq8xo
— Cookie Expert (@JeffAllen71) February 26, 2024
Just put on the tape, look at who the QB was and some of the catches that had to be made. Also his DNA. No reason for him to do anything but show up in at the draft in nice suit https://t.co/XoscoFXS33
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) February 26, 2024
We’ll have to see how this approach works out for him.
