Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Trade to Texans Questioned by Insiders in New NFL Rumors

Some NFL evaluators feel the Houston Texans potentially overpaid to acquire third-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday.

Fowler reported "the belief among league evaluators we consulted is that Houston didn't have much true, known competition for Marvin Harrison Jr. because of what Texans GM Nick Caserio was willing to give up to get him."

The Texans traded a 2027 second-round pick, and swapped a 2027 sixth-rounder for a 2027 seventh-round selection, in order to acquire Harrison from the Cardinals.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported prior to the deal the Cardinals had "told inquiring teams that it wanted first-round value in return for Harrison."

Fowler reported some teams saw the inclusion of even a 2027 second-rounder as a "nonstarter" in a potential deal.

"Multiple teams consulted believe that Harrison, despite his billing as the 2024 No. 4 overall pick, was probably worth a fourth-round pick when considering his declining play and his lack of competition on routes at times this season," Fowler reported.

The Indianapolis Colts were one team dissuaded by the Cardinals' price, per Fowler. The Kansas City Chiefs have also looked for wide receivers but "were not considered major players" for Harrison, Fowler added.

Harrison, 24, made five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown while receiving 13 targets over four games as Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett leaned on Trey McBride and Michael Wilson.

Fowler concluded Caserio completing the trade despite that limited usage was part of an "aggressive" approach to build around Harrison's former Ohio State teammate, C.J. Stroud.

Caserio seemingly showed some hesitancy about a long-term commitment to Stroud by allowing him to head into the penultimate season of his rookie contract without an extension.

The Texans have since gotten off to a 1-4 start to the 2026 campaign in part thanks to ranking among the NFL's least effective passing defensives. Stroud has nonetheless completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 1,402 passing yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Stroud will look to help his case for a long-term deal, while Harrison will look to revitalize his career by getting more targets, when this former Buckeyes duo reunites in Sunday's Week 6 matchup at the Los Angeles Rams.