Texans 'Aware' How Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 'Effort' Looked on Tape, New NFL Rumors Reveal After Trade

The Houston Texans aren't concerned about Marvin Harrison Jr.'s play during his time with the Arizona Cardinals after they gave up a second-round pick to acquire the veteran wide receiver.

Per The Athletic's Jonathan Jones , the Texans are "aware" of the "lack of effort" that showed up on Harrison's tape at times during his time in Arizona and have confidence that won't carry over in part because he is because he gets to play with his former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud:

"The Texans are aware of what Harrison's tape in Arizona looked like. And though he's been with the team for less than a week, there have been no signs within the organization that the lack of effort seen on tape has traveled with him to Houston (or, for that matter, London, where the Texans will play the Jaguars on Sunday).

"The flow of the game will likely dictate Harrison's snaps, but I'm told he has picked things up well and will do more as the year goes along. What will be interesting to see is how he adapts to playing opposite the X receiver, a position Nico Collins holds.

"'We're hoping that because of the dynamic with his college quarterback and a change of scenery, it will unlock him,' one team source says."

Harrison was regarded as one of the best receiver prospects in recent memory going into the 2024 NFL draft. He had an outstanding two-year run at Ohio State with 144 receptions for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns in 25 games from 2022 to '23.

B/R's NFL scouting department described Harrison as a "slam-dunk prospect" and cited A.J. Green as a comparison for his style of play.

The Cardinals made Harrison the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft. He was the highest-drafted wide receiver for the franchise since Larry Fitzgerald was selected third overall in 2004.

Harrison had a solid rookie season with 885 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games, but things have fallen off dramatically since then. He has 693 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games since the start of the 2025 season.

There have been clips posted from games this season that appear to show Harrison not going at full speed, though Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur disagreed with the notion he wasn't playing hard.

It seems clear based on the trade package that the Texans believe a change of scenery and playing with a quarterback Harrison has familiarity with can turn things around. They gave up a 2027 second-round pick to acquire him from Arizona.

Houston desperately needed help at wide receiver with Jayden Higgins out for the season and Tank Dell still on injured reserve.

Nico Collins has missed time already due to a hamstring injury, though he has looked fine with 174 yards and two touchdowns in two games since returning.

The combination of Stroud at quarterback and Collins being the No. 1 option in the offense should ease some of the pressure on Harrison. He's only 24 and has one more guaranteed year on his rookie contract, so the upside for a Texans team trying to get back on track amid a 1-4 start makes it worth the risk for them.

Harrison will make his Texans debut on Sunday when they play the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, England.