Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., has been the sportsbooks’ favorite for months to become the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals are slated to draft fourth and they need a top-flight receiver.
Current odds at DraftKings have Harrison as the favorite at -225 to be the fourth overall pick. Harrison’s opening odds were -250. In 2023, Harrison had 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 2022, Harrison had 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns.
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But Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy, who led the Wolverines to the 2023 National Championship, has dramatically closed the gap. Currently, he has the second-shortest odds to be selected No. 4 overall. McCarthy’s odds are +180 to be the fourth overall pick. McCarthy’s opening odds were +1400. McCarthy has the shortest odds to be drafted fifth overall at +240, ahead of LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (+245) and Harrison Jr. (+250).
As often happens in the NFL Draft, the closer we get to Day 1, the more value quarterbacks command. Thus, McCarthy’s stock is rising.
Could Cardinals Deal?
The Cardinals’ position at No. 4 is where a team could land a potential franchise quarterback. The Cardinals have Kyler Murray, so they could be open to talk trade.
Mock drafts originally had McCarthy going to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11, or the Denver Broncos at No. 12, or the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13. Now, the same mock drafts suggest those teams, plus the New York Giants, might be willing to trade up, perhaps to No. 4, to land McCarthy. NFL.com published a recent mock draft that moved the Giants into the fourth overall spot, where they would select McCarthy.
Teams with the top three picks all need quarterbacks. USC’s Caleb Williams appears to be a lock at No. 1 by the Chicago Bears. For weeks, the Washington Commanders were expected to draft Daniels at No. 2, or Maye at No. 3. New England, with the third pick, was expected to draft either Daniels or Maye — whomever the Commanders didn’t select.
McCarthy was impressive at Michigan’s Pro Day on March 22. He has the size and arm strength desired by NFL teams. His record with the Wolverines was 27-1, as Michigan won three consecutive Big Ten championships and earned three consecutive College Football Playoff berths. Some mock drafts even have McCarthy going No. 2 or No. 3. DraftKings has McCarthy +1100 to be drafted second and +380 to be drafted third — the third-shortest odds at both draft slots.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., and Field Yates did a mock draft last week and they have Harrison going to the Cardinals at No. 4.
The NFL Draft will be held April 25 to 27 in Detroit.
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