Titans NFL Draft Daily (Jan. 12): Marvin Harrison Jr. Would Fill Major Void at Wide Receiver

Ohio State star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday. If the Tennessee Titans covet him, they likely would have to trade up into the top five selections.

College football's top wide receiver is officially heading to the NFL. Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. on Thursday declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility. It just so happens that the Tennessee Titans need more playmakers at wide receiver.

Let's be clear. The odds of Harrison's availability at No. 7 in the NFL Draft are slim. Like, really slim. But it's worth acknowledging that the former Buckeye would fill a major void on Tennessee's roster.

Tennessee needs to find a running mate to pair with DeAndre Hopkins — the Titans' only productive receiver in 2023. Hopkins finished the season with 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 catches. The second-highest yardage total came from Chris Moore, with 424 yards.

Harrison is a plug-and-play type of receiver. He'd fit immediately into the Titans' offense and would provide Will Levis with a reliable option alongside Hopkins.

ESPN currently has the Arizona Cardinals selecting Harrison with the No. 4 pick. He's considered the best receiver in the 2024 draft class.

"Harrison's combination of hands, body control and route running make him the clear best receiver in a loaded group, and he has a chance to quickly become a top-10 target at the next level," wrote ESPN's Jordan Reid. "He is coming off back-to-back seasons with 14 touchdowns and more than 1,200 yards at Ohio State."

In all likelihood, Harrison will be selected within the first five picks. If the Titans wanted to add the 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist to the roster, they would have to make a trade in order to move up in the draft order.

Would Ran Carthon and the Tennessee front office look at making that kind of move? Because the Titans are also desperate for an upgrade at offensive tackle, it seems unlikely. 

But Harrison, whose father Marvin was an 8-time Pro Bowler with the Indianapolis Colts, is considered a generational talent at wide receiver. He could be a long-term answer for Tennessee in the passing attack. 

Titans have limited receiver depth

Adding Hopkins to the roster last offseason was a huge upgrade for Tennessee's offense. 

Here's a look at the production from Titans receivers in 2023. There's a significant drop-off between Hopkins and the rest of the corps:

• DeAndre Hopkins: 75 catches, 1,057 yards, seven touchdowns
• Chris Moore: 22 catches, 424 yards, zero touchdowns
• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: 28 catches, 370 yards, three touchdowns
• Treylon Burks: 16 catches, 221 yards, zero touchdowns
• Kyle Philips: 15 catches, 181 yards, zero touchdowns

Harrison would almost assuredly step in and be the No. 2 target in the offense. It might not take him long to emerge as the top receiver, either.

The other reason Tennessee need wide receiver help? Hopkins will be on the second year of his two-year, $26 million contract. If the two sides don't agree on a new deal — and also note that Hopkins turns 32 in June — the Titans would be left scrambling to find a new No. 1 receiver.

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