When it comes to the Cardinals, a whole host of different players and/or coaches could be viewed as the team’s biggest X-factor this season. That tends to be the case where a team is viewed as “rebuilding” and you can’t ever be quite sure where that breakout star is going to come from that they’ll need to help elevate their squad to where they want to be.
Per ESPN’s Ben Solak, that player for the Cardinals this season is wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. Here’s everything he had to say about his decision:
“There are only a few players on the Cardinals’ roster who I’m confident are above-average starters. On defense, there is safety Budda Baker and edge rusher Josh Sweat, and tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson on offense. With rookie and third pick Jeremiyah Love, a prospect I loved coming out of Notre Dame, we are close to a third offensive player — all skill position guys.”
“So imagine if Harrison can take a leap under a new offensive coaching staff. New head coach Mike LaFleur, a branch off the old Sean McVay tree, comes from an offense that doesn’t typically enjoy a traditional X-receiver — 6-foot-4, big frame, running all sorts of sideline routes. As such, it’s fair to expect the Cardinals to move Harrison around the formation more than he has been to this point in his career. Over the past two seasons, 78.6% of Harrison’s targets have come from out wide (24th among 106 wide receivers), and he has averaged 13.1 air yards per target (17th). Some easier targets from the slot and in motion would be welcome for a player whose superpower in college was route running.”
“The Cardinals’ quarterback play figures to be rough this season, but hits on Love and Harrison could give Arizona such a deluge of playmakers that its offense remains dangerous even with below-average quarterback play. And if they end up investing by drafting a quarterback high in 2027, a Harrison breakout would make the bedrock for that quarterback’s development all the richer.”
Do you agree with Solak’s choice? Why or why not? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comments below!
Cardinals News:
Michael Wilson signed a three-year contract extension with the Cardinals (AZCardinals.com)
The Cardinals fell in a new set of NFL power rankings (Cards Wire)
Where does Michael Wilson’s new deal rank him among the NFL’s top wideouts in average salary? (Cards Wire)
NFL News:
Ranking the top quarterback-coach pairings in the NFL this year (CBS Sports)
These seven teams are predicted to have the highest chance of raising the Lombardi Trophy this year (NFL.com)
Benjamin Solak picks X factors for all 32 NFL teams in 2026 (ESPN)
