It looked, as the ball arrived, like a perfect manifestation of Marvin Harrison Jr.’s role in this new Arizona Cardinals offense. He lined up out wide, as the X receiver, and ran a deep, in-breaking route — the type of role in which he was underutilized by previous offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. As he came out of his break, he was wide open over the middle of the field, having separated from cornerback Max Melton.
Then, the ball clattered off his hands and fell incomplete.
These are the types of moments that have marred Harrison’s NFL career. Every time he puts together a positive stretch, it seems as if there’s a hurdle — whether it be a series of drops or a minor injury — that comes along.
In that sense, practice on Tuesday, July 28, felt
like a microcosm — because outside of the drop, it was a positive day for Harrison. He caught all three of his other targets, each on intermediate, in-breaking routes.
And with the Cardinals making heavy use of three tight end sets, he was typically the lone receiver on the field in those looks. That suggests that he may lead Michael Wilson in snap share this season.
But at the end of the day, it was Wilson who came out looking better, as he hauled in another impressive diving catch, while Harrison suffered from an ugly drop.
Secondary taking shape
The Cardinals have a few entrenched starters in their secondary. Budda Baker is, of course, a starter at safety. Will Johnson is the clear lead candidate for one outside cornerback spot. Sean Murphy-Bunting is — until Garrett Williams returns — the nickel.
But the other two starting spots are up for grabs, as the team enters its second week of training camp.
Denzel Burke might be the slight favorite for the other outside cornerback slot, but he and Max Melton have mostly alternated series with the first-team defense. At times, the two of them have even shared the field, with Johnson stepping aside. For now, Starling Thomas V looks like the fourth option as he re-acclimates to full-speed practices after missing last season with a torn ACL.
The picture is no clearer at safety, next to Baker. Free agent signing Andrew Wingard saw the first snaps over Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, but Taylor-Demerson then swapped in, with the two rotating, as they have for most of camp.
Those two battles will be worth watching for the rest of preseason.
Rookie moving up depth chart
There has been a surprise inclusion in the second-team offensive line early in training camp, as seventh-round rookie offensive tackle Jayden Williams has worked with that group each day.
Right now, Williams looks like the Cardinals’ fourth offensive tackle of choice, behind Paris Johnson Jr., Elijah Wilkinson and Josh Fryar. That may not provide an immediate path to playing time, but it suggests that he has impressed the coaching staff, giving himself a good chance to make the roster as a seventh-round pick.
The only other rookies who have primarily worked with the first or second team are Jeremiyah Love and Chase Bisontis — the Cardinals’ top two draft picks this spring.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals camp notes. Mixed day for Marvin Harrison Jr.
