Marvin Harrison Jr.’s name is still hanging around the trade market, and the buzz hasn’t exactly quieted down after another uneven start with the Arizona Cardinals.
Going into Week 4 against the Giants, Harrison had just 4 catches on 9 targets for 73 yards across three games. The No. 4 overall pick from 2024 remains in the starting lineup, but his role has looked more like a occasional deep threat than a featured weapon.
He did open Sunday’s scoring with a 12-yard touchdown on his first catch from Jacoby Brissett, but that didn’t stop the rumor mill from spinning. Earlier in the week, Brissett praised Harrison enough that it was clear Arizona intended to “showcase” him in New York.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that teams interested in making a move before the league’s November deadline are “doing their due diligence.” So the real question is which teams actually make sense as landing spots - and which ones should stay far away.
One of the cleaner fits on paper is Indianapolis. The Colts are dealing with a compressed passing game, with Alec Pierce out and Keenan Allen also on the shelf.
That leaves them leaning on journeymen behind Josh Downs and young tight end Tyler Warren. Now sitting at 2-2, they could use Harrison as a downfield option in Shane Steichen’s offense, especially with Daniel Jones’ big arm in play.
And yes, the legacy angle matters too: Indianapolis was Marvin Harrison Sr.’s only NFL home.
Las Vegas also checks a lot of boxes. The Raiders are thin at receiver, with Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Cody White leading the group and Jack Bech on injured reserve with a fractured forearm. Harrison’s 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame, speed and red-zone ability would fit naturally in Klint Kubiak’s downfield system, and it would give Kirk Cousins another target who can threaten vertically.
Minnesota gets a mention as well, largely because of the way the receiver room is set up. Justin Jefferson is out with an ankle injury, leaving Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings and a lot of uncertainty at the position.
Addison and Jennings can work from the slot, which would let Harrison stay on the outside as a vertical and red-zone piece. The idea is that he could grow into a strong deep threat, especially once Jefferson is healthy again.
Miami is another team that could use a swing. The Dolphins are sitting at 0-3 and dealing with a messy, injury-hit wide receiver group.
That makes Harrison a logical name to circle, even with the idea of potentially chasing Buckeyes star Jeremiah Smith in 2027. The thought here is that Harrison could get more chances as a target for Malik Willis and prove he can handle life as a No. 2 or No. 3 option by 2027.
Houston rounds out the best-fit group. A reunion with former Ohio State quarterback C.J.
Stroud gives the idea some obvious appeal, and the Texans have enough moving parts at receiver to keep the conversation going. Nico Collins is back and healthy as the top option, Jayden Higgins is down, Xavier Hutchinson and former Patriot Kayshon Boutte are among the other main names, and second-year speedster Jaylin Noel is needed more in the slot.
There’s also the question of whether Tank Dell will ever be healthy enough to contribute again. That makes Harrison a reasonable player to call about, whether Houston thinks it can turn around its 0-3 start or is already thinking about next season.
On the other end of the list, Pittsburgh doesn’t look like a place where Harrison would solve much. The Steelers already have DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., and the offense still sounds like one Aaron Rodgers will have trouble trusting.
Buffalo is another team that doesn’t need to be in the mix. Josh Allen has D.J.
Moore working as the No. 1, which opens things up for Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid. The Bills, as the argument goes, don’t need a disappointing sequel to Keon Coleman.
New England also lands in the avoid category. Josh McDaniels’ offense is tough to learn in half a season, and while Harrison would theoretically help downfield, the setup is framed as just adding another disappointment target without A.J. Brown.
Tampa Bay is a trickier case, but it still lands among the poor fits right now. Emeka Egbuka is viewed as the long-term No.
1, Chris Godwin is still around as the veteran slot, and Jalen McMillan is expected to miss half the season on injured reserve with a knee issue. Rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst III has shown only limited flashes as a rookie No.
- With Baker Mayfield injured and the team out of contention, Harrison would be more of a cheap look ahead than a true fit.
Kansas City is the clearest name to stay off the list entirely. The Chiefs are rolling on offense with Kenneth Walker III helping open everything up for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce is still producing, and the receiver room is deeper than people think. The case here is simple: Kansas City does not need to be treated like a wide receiver-needy team, whether that means trading for Harrison or chasing a still-injured Tyreek Hill.
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