​Former Ohio State teammates C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. are now current teammates with the Houston Texans. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals trading Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t a surprise, but the team that acquired him-and what they gave up for him-was a shock. On Sunday, the Cardinals finalized a trade, sending their 2024 first-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Houston Texans for a 2027 second-round pick and a sixth-round pick. NFL insiders like ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler projected that Harrison Jr. was worth no more than a “quality day 3 pick” in rounds 4 or 5. The Texans’ latest personnel gamble is easy to understand. Harrison Jr., the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison, was viewed as a generational talent coming out of Ohio State two years ago. Plus, Harrison was a teammate of current Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, and both were All-Americans at Ohio State.Yet Harrison Jr.’s time in Arizona has been subpar compared to his draft status, with his statistical performance resembling that of a replacement-level wide receiver, not a potential All-Pro. So why were the Texans so eager to get him? The Texans wide receiver room has been besieged by injuries: Jayden Higgins is out for the season, Nico Collins has already missed time, and Tank Dell hasn’t seen the field since December 2024, so adding another option itself is a boost.”He [is] a dynamic playmaker,” Stroud said to reporters on Sunday regarding the trade for Harrison Jr. “Somebody who runs great routes, someone who can catch really any ball, and I’m just super excited to get with him.However, another reason could be about making things attractive for the quarterback to re-sign with the franchise after the season. Could the trade affect Stroud’s future in Houston?Stroud, who has one year remaining on his rookie deal with $25.9 million guaranteed in 2027, could project to sign a $70 million average annual value contract with strong play this season. The Texans, who have other deals to consider on the roster, could use the Harrison Jr. trade as a good-faith, goodwill investment in hopes that Stroud will be flexible when coming to terms on a deal. “I loved him in college,” Stroud said. “He’s probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life.”
C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. were All-Americans with the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
Stroud’s time in Houston has been fascinating. The Texans have done nothing but win since Stroud arrived, with three consecutive postseason appearances and an average of 10 wins each season. However, criticism of Stroud’s postseason play has been paired with odd callouts from the fan base about his hat selections and from Texans legend Andre Johnson about his body language. Money might be the ultimate solution to keeping Stroud in Houston, but investing in happiness and community could be just as vital. “I’m excited to have him here. It’s going to be big. I c