The Texans, needing to upgrade their receiver corps, traded two draft picks for Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth-overall selection by the Cardinals two years ago.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Houston Texans traded for Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Sunday.
Houston also received a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick in 2027, a league source told the Houston Chronicle.
After declining to answer a couple questions about a potential Harrison trade in his press conference following Houston’s 26-3 win over Tennessee, the head coach finally answered.
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“You guys want to know, huh? Yes, alright, we traded for Marvin Harrison, see ya,” Ryans said before walking away from the podium with a smile.
“Yes, alright we traded for Marvin Harrison, see ya!”
What a way to end a presser 😂 https://t.co/tn1LppIGdn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 11, 2026
Harrison, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, was teammates with quarterback C.J. Stroud at Ohio State. He is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr.
“I think he brings us a dynamic playmaker. Somebody who runs great routes, can catch really any ball,” Stroud said after the win over the Titans. “I’m just super excited to get with him. I loved him in college.
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“Probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life. And who he is off the field, he’s a great dude, quiet guy but definitely you feel his presence. So, I’m excited to get him in here and get him learning and get him around the other guys. It’s perfect for him, I think fresh starts are good, so I’m excited to get him with us.”
ARIZONA’S REACTION: What Cardinals players think of Marvin Harrison Jr. trade
The deal was weeks in the making. The Texans had reached out to the Cardinals previously with an offer but were initially rejected.
The move is massive for several reasons.
It adds further depth to a wide receiver unit that has been devastated with injuries. It also signals that the franchise remains all-in this season despite a 1-4 start.
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Trading a second-round pick for a player all but guarantees the team expects him to be a major part of its future, but it also raises questions about Nico Collins’ future in Houston past the 2026 season. Collins’ contract ends after the 2027 season and he still does not have an extension.
Getting an extension done this offseason will be a key indicator in whether he’ll remain a Texan or whether Houston would shop him given his trade value will be at its highest.
As for Harrison, his time with the Cardinals had apparently reached a breaking point. Videos of Harrison’s lack of effort on routes and run blocking had gone viral in recent weeks.
And teams rarely trade top receivers like Harrison before the end of their rookie deals.
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That the Texans would take a chance on him is a bit of a surprise for those same reasons. Effort is just as important as production for Ryans. His motto is “special work ethic and relentless mindset.”
But the Texans needed weapons on offense and Harrison certainly has that potential.
His familiarity with Stroud, who expects to sign a major contract extension next offseason, and their need to add pieces around him played a factor in their pursuit of Harrison.
Stroud said the Texans’ front office consulted with him about Harrison.
He said he told general manager Nick Caserio about who Harrison is as a person and player and what he liked about him when he played.
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“I thought our front office did a great job of allowing me to be a part of it,” Stroud said.
Harrison provides them another proven red zone threat, where the Texans have often been hit or miss. Houston ranks 15th in the league in red-zone touchdown percentage at 57.1. In fairness, their success has often depended on the availability of Collins.
When Collins was out with a hamstring injury, the Texans’ receivers struggled to find success anywhere. The offense scored just 23 points in the two games he missed.
Though Harrison has only five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in four games this season, he has had success in the past. As a rookie, he had 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. During his second year, he had 41 catches for 608 yards and four touchdowns.
Those stat lines are better than any other wide receiver on the Texans’ active roster outside of Collins.
But Stroud said he won’t put expectations on Harrison.
“Whatever is next for him, that’s flying over here to Houston and getting into the playbook, let’s do that good,” Stroud said. “And if he’s himself, he’s going to be one of the best receivers. He got drafted where he got drafted and I think he’s going to be able to show that.”