The Houston Texans are heavily connected to a trade for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
ESPN and NFL Network reported the Cardinals are trading Harrison. Numerous outlets reported the Texans as a potential landing spot for the wideout.
Pro Football Talk reported the Texans offered a second-round pick in the 2028 draft. The Cardinals reportedly want a second-round pick in the 2027 draft and more. The leaks to insiders feel like a negotiating tactic to drive up the price or get the Texans to up their offer.
If the Texans meet the price, it’s a horrible trade.
Harrison hasn’t been a consistently useful player in the NFL. He was a “can’t miss” prospect, but he’s been the definition of a draft bust. A somewhat productive rookie season gave way to a disappointing second season. He quit on routes, and some of them led to interceptions. He had trouble catching the ball. The mentality and approach haven’t been that of a big-time wideout. He’s played slowly and lacked the explosion he showed in college.
Harrison played in college with C.J. Stroud. Reuniting with a college teammate who had a hand in his success might reignite Harrison’s passion, but that doesn’t solve every issue that’s led to his disappointing NFL career.
Over his last 16 games, Harrison has 46 catches for 693 yards and five touchdowns. As a reference point, Kayshon Boutte has 35 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns in his last 16 games.
The Texans traded a 2028 seventh-round pick and former sixth-round pick Jaylen Reed for Boutte earlier this year.
Parting with a premium asset for Harrison is roster mismanagement.
Nico Collins returned from his injury with fury. The passing attack has looked good when he’s been healthy. Sure, Collins has that injury history, but Harrison isn’t a Collins-level replacement. Harrison is more talented than the depth on paper, but what’s the use if he can’t show it on the field?
Jaylin Noel is coming off his most productive game. Kayshon Boutte has caught most everything thrown his way. Xavier Hutchinson just played a productive game in his proper spot in the wideout pecking order. Stroud has been good through the air with this group, and there’s room for more. They’ve not maximized the passing attack yet.
The Texans can’t run the football. Their pass protection is shaky. Their depth on defense has evaporated. Harrison doesn’t help any of those issues.
The reported price is extremely high. The 2027 NFL draft is expected to be one of the deepest classes in years. The Texans need cost-controlled talent as their huge contracts hit the books. Sending a top-60 selection for an unproductive receiver is malpractice.
The Texans would have Harrison under contract in 2027, but Harrison’s projected $17 million fifth-year option would be a necessary offseason decision. He’s shown no reason to commit beyond next season. A highly valuable draft pick for maybe 30 games of one of the biggest underachievers at wide receiver is a terrible return. At least when Nick Caserio overpaid for Stefon Diggs, there was a track record of success.
If the price decreased, say to the reported 2028 second-round pick, it still feels high for the depreciated asset that is Harrison.
Spare me your quip about Caserio burning second-round selections. There’s no guarantee Caserio is making the picks in 2027. Even if he is, he’s provided more hope than hell in the second round.
If the Texans believe the 2026 season is salvageable, investing a premium asset in Harrison doesn’t maximize the opportunity to right the ship. It hurts their spending power to shore up weaker spots. Pass on Harrison at these rumored prices. Let some other team trade an asset for hope.
