The way the Houston Texans have talked about the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade has been peculiar. The public comments have been underwhelming in their attempt to explain and justify why the formerly failed top pick now plays for the Texans.
DeMeco Ryans got the first opportunity on Monday.
“He’s another really great playmaker,” Ryans said when asked about the trade. “He’s crushed a lot of college records. Got multiple thousand-yard receiving seasons in college. All-American, always been a top receiver when he’s been on the field. He has good rapport with C.J. [Stroud] from their time at Ohio State. We’re excited to get him in, add another great player to our group.”
When asked to evaluate Harrison in Arizona and what led to the poor performance, Ryans ignored the question, saying they were excited for Harrison to be himself and the “playmaker that he is.”
Harrison was a prolific college receiver, as Ryans noted. That success is the reason he went fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. If he was that player, he wouldn’t have been on the trade block. Ryans didn’t have to run down everything he saw wrong with Harrison’s situation in Arizona, but acknowledging the player hasn’t lived up to the incredible hype isn’t a bad thing.
The Texans can’t ignore that Harrison’s availability was tied to his performance in Arizona. Obviously, they believe their situation will be better. It can’t be ignored that Harrison will reunite with C.J. Stroud. That’s a unique element not present in previous trades of poor-performing top picks.
Arizona’s return for Harrison was unprecedented for a struggling receiver. Ryans, again, ignored Harrison’s inconsistent time with his former team.
“You want good players,” he said, “it has to cost whatever it is. The guy is a really good player, so we’re excited to get him here.”
Harrison hasn’t shown flashes of being a good player since his rookie season. The Texans saw a path to getting that player, so they were willing to pay the price. Harrison is also under contract for the 2027 season, and the 2028 season if the Texans pick up his fifth-year option. That’s a massive positive should the highly-touted version of Harrison make an appearance.
Integrating Harrison should take time. Numerous coaches and players have explained how much this style of offense demands from wide receivers.
Not a huge concern for Ryans when it comes to Harrison.
“The thing that I’ve heard from a lot of people speaking about Marvin [Harrison Jr.] is he’s one of the hardest workers,” Ryans said. “That’s the common theme that I’ve heard from multiple people: how hard of a worker he is. I’m not concerned about him picking up the offense and what he can be able to run for us, the things that he’ll be able to do for us offensively. I’m not concerned about it because the kid is a hard worker.”
Harrison’s work ethic, seemingly never in question in Arizona, will steward him through the complicated system.
That sounds like a player who can help sooner rather than later.
