DeMeco Ryans addresses possible Marvin Harrison Jr. concern after Texans' trade with Cardinals

On Monday, the Arizona Cardinals trading third-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Houston Texans for a 2027 second-round selection and a 2027 sixth-rounder became official. 

After Harrison became a Houston player, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans explained why he isn't worried about the 24-year-old possibly struggling to adapt to a new offensive playbook as 1-4 Houston prepares to face the 4-1 Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 18.

Marvin Harrison Jr. expected to "fit right in" with Texans

"The thing that I’ve heard from a lot of people speaking about Marvin is he’s one of the hardest workers," Ryans explained, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "That’s the common theme that I’ve heard from multiple people, how hard of a worker he is. I’m not concerned about him picking up the offense and what he can be able to run for us, the things that he’ll be able to do for us offensively. I’m not concerned about it because the kid is a hard worker. He has a great attitude. He’s fired up to be here. When you approach it that way, as he will, he’ll fit right in."

One thing Harrison wasn't was an impactful in-game contributor over the season's opening four weeks while playing for first-year Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur. Specifically, Harrison recorded just five receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown until he was made inactive for what became Arizona's 45-21 home loss to the Detroit Lions this past Sunday. 

One big reason Texans expect Marvin Harrison Jr. to fit in

Understandably, multiple NFL insiders and analysts have noted that it could be a positive for Harrison to reunite with Texans quarterback and former Ohio State teammate C.J. Stroud. On Monday, Ryans confirmed the Texans spoke with Stroud before they acquired Harrison.

"I think anytime you have players who have spent time together, whether it’s college or other teams, just having that prior relationship definitely helps when you come into a new situation," Ryans said. 

Not everybody is convinced Harrison will give the Texans offense a major spark. For an article published on Tuesday, ESPN's Ben Solak explained why he feels the Harrison trade "won't matter for either team."

"I'm a big believer in emotional relocation for disgruntled players," Solak wrote, "and I think Harrison can be better in Houston. Better enough to really tip the scales for that offense? No, I don't see him becoming the second-leading target getter behind Nico Collins by January. And while the Cardinals are thin at receiver, Harrison wasn't pulling enough coverage to warrant his low target rates in Arizona. This is a big-name, low-impact deal." 

It remains to be seen when the Texans will start giving Harrison opportunities to prove Solak wrong.