Marvin Harrison Jr. was supposed to arrive in the NFL with the kind of polish and star power that made him look like a sure thing coming out of Ohio State. Instead, the Arizona Cardinals wideout has seen the conversation turn fast, and not in a good way.
His production has fallen short of the pre-draft hype, and the questions around him keep getting louder. His effort is being questioned, and so is how long he fits in Arizona as the Cardinals work to build their culture. Around the league, executives are reportedly wondering how much longer Harrison will stay put, with Arizona potentially looking to recoup value if it decides to move on.
If that happens, a few teams stand out as places where he could try to reset his career.
Houston makes a lot of sense first. Harrison and C.J.
Stroud already had a strong connection at Ohio State, where Harrison was Stroud’s top target during Stroud’s final season with the Buckeyes. The Texans also have a clear need at receiver.
Nico Collins missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury and could be out longer, Tank Dell has been working back from a knee injury suffered during the 2024 season, and Jayden Higgins is done for the year with an ACL injury. For Houston, a reunion with Stroud could be a clean fit.
Las Vegas is another team that could take the swing. The Raiders have been outperforming expectations early in 2026, and they’ve gotten touchdown catches from Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Cody White through the first two games.
Brock Bowers has not yet returned to impact the lineup, and those receivers have helped Kirk Cousins keep things moving. Still, the bigger question is whether that group is really good enough to build around.
With Klint Kubiak calling the offense, the Raiders are in a position to take a risk on Harrison, especially with a franchise quarterback in waiting who would welcome a true go-to receiver.
Then there’s Indianapolis, a landing spot that carries a little extra weight. Marvin Harrison Jr.’s father became a franchise legend with the Colts, which makes the fit feel equal parts poetic and funny.
The Colts could use the help, too. Alec Pierce was injured in a Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Indianapolis needs more than Keenan Allen at wideout this season.
Shane Steichen has already shown he can get the most out of the weapons in his offense, which could give Harrison the kind of environment where he might finally start living up to the name on the back of his jersey.
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Pacers Are Leaning On James Johnson For More Than Depth
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Johnsons role is expected to center on leadership and mentorship for the Pacers younger players, a useful presence for a team trying to keep its development on track. There is also some thought that he could end up on the coaching staff, which would allow Indiana to keep his voice around the program without using up a roster spot. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Frontcourt Issue Could Open An Unexpected Door For Rienk Mast
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For Mast, the more likely path still points to the G League, where he is expected to spend most of the season while trying to prove he can translate those flashes into something more permanent. It is not an easy route, and the challenge is steep for any player trying to carve out a sustained NBA career, but Indianas lack of big-man depth means his progress is worth keeping an eye on a little longer than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Already Face A Tough Braden Smith Development Decision
Braden Smiths first steps as a pro are already being mapped out by the Pacers, and the plan sounds more developmental than immediate. During a preseason press conference, Indiana general manager Chad Buchanan and assistant general manager Ted Wu laid out how the former Purdue point guard, taken with the No. 38 pick, figures into the organizations long view as he adjusts to the speed and spacing of the NBA game.
For Indiana, the priority is finding him the kind of minutes he would not get right away at the top level, which is why much of his rookie season is expected to be spent with the Noblesville Boom. The Pacers want Smith to get real playing time and build toward a different role than the one he held in college, a transition that should help him before he is asked to contribute in a more limited NBA setting. [Read more 🡒]