Marvin Harrison Jr. Had Fewest Yards by Top-5 WR Pick Since Desmond Howard in 1992

Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, finished with just one reception for four yards (on three targets) in his first-ever NFL game on Sunday during a 34-28 road loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Per ESPN Stats & Information (h/t ESPN's Josh Weinfuss), the last time a debut-making receiver taken in the top five had fewer receiving yards was in 1992, when Washington's Desmond Howard finished with zero. Howard, notably, was primarily used as a returner and only had four targets his entire rookie year.

On Sunday, Harrison was on the field for 54 snaps and ran 33 routes, per ESPN's Mike Clay. That somehow translated to only three targets, begging the question of why Harrison, who the B/R NFL Scouting Department (among others) called the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 draft class, wasn't involved much.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said, per Weinfuss, that the natural flow of the game led to Harrison not seeing a ton of action, adding: "There wasn't any not not trying to get them the ball."

Murray threw 31 times, with tight end Trey McBride (nine targets) and wideout Greg Dortch (eight targets) leading the way. No one else had more than four looks.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon also had this to say, per Theo Mackie of azcentralsports.

Ultimately, Harrison is too talented to get shut down every week, and the Cardinals have enough offensive firepower otherwise for the ex-Ohio State star to avoid some defensive attention and get his looks.

He'll have a chance to make a bigger box score impact on Sunday when Arizona hosts the Los Angeles Rams.