Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a disappointment so far during his NFL career. But it’s not too late for him to turn things around.
Harrison had been mentioned in trade rumors for a few weeks. Then this past Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals finally made a deal, sending the young wide receiver and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Houston Texans for two 2027 selections (a second-rounder and a sixth-rounder).
Speculation suggested the Colts could trade Harrison. His father Marvin Harrison, of course, enjoyed a Hall of Fame career as a receiver in Indy. Plus, the Colts need another pass-catcher with Alec Pierce injured.
But instead, the younger Harrison heads to Houston to reunite with his college teammate, quarterback C.J. Stroud. The duo played together at Ohio State and were All-Americans in 2022.
Marvin Harrison Jr., who definitely wasn’t a star in Arizona, could transform into a big-time contributor in Houston if everything goes right.
Will Marvin Harrison Jr. Shed the “Bust” Label with the Texans?
His Career Thus Far
During his three-year stay at Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr. was “must-see” TV every Saturday. The two-time All-American caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Harrison put together a sensational 2023 season with the Buckeyes with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had a pair of rushing attempts for 26 yards (13 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
Harrison was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He finished fourth in voting behind quarterbacks Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), and Bo Nix (Oregon).
The Cardinals later selected Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had a decent rookie year with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. The following season, he caught 41 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns as he missed five games due to injury.
Harrison had recorded only five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown in four games for the Cardinals this season.
The Last Word
The Texans certainly haven’t gotten off to a great start this season, owning a 1-4 record. They got their first win on Sunday, though, beating the Tennessee Titans 26-3 on the road.
Houston needed more playmakers for Stroud, who’s playing at a high level this year, going four games without a turnover. Stroud and Co. is a passing offense due to their struggling run game. The team possesses one of the league’s best receivers in Nico Collins. But when he sat out Weeks 2 and 3 because of a hamstring injury, the Texans’ offense averaged just 11.5 points as other receivers failed to step up.
The Marvin Harrison trade could prove to be an excellent move if he can return to some of the promise of his rookie year with a clean slate in Houston. Without a doubt, he has the potential to develop into an NFL star.
Sometimes, a change of scenery can help a “bust” turn into something special. Just look at quarterback Sam Darnold, who struggled with the New York Jets early in his career. The former third overall pick has turned out to be a two-time Pro Bowler and helped the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl last season.
Playing with his buddy, Stroud, look for Marvin Harrison Jr. to turn his career around in Houston. No, he won’t be the next Jerry Rice or Randy Moss, but expect him to be much better than he was in Arizona. Again, a change of scenery helps.
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