Jim Irsay: Colts have “great” interest in Marvin Harrison Jr., but trading up is probably “too difficult”

The Colts maintain their interest in Marvin Harrison Jr., and while a trade up appears unlikely, anything can happen…

According to team owner Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts maintain “great” interest in prized Ohio State wideout prospect Marvin Harrison Jr.

However, a trade up from #15, where the Colts currently select in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, to somewhere in the Top 7 picks to realistically land Harrison Jr. may prove to be “too difficult” (via Fox59/CBS4’s Mike Chappell):

“The Colts have a ‘great’ interest in Marvin Harrison Jr., but moving up from the No. 15 slot into a much higher spot to select the son of Colts’ Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison is probably ‘too difficult’ because of the draft capital Ballard would have to package in a trade,” writes Chappell after speaking with Irsay on Monday evening.

That being said, Irsay also insisted everything’s on the table too come draft day:

“I wouldn’t rule anything out,’’ Irsay told Chappell. “We’re open-minded.”

Of course, Harrison Jr. is the son of his namesake, Marvin Harrison Sr., who is a Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champion, and the greatest wideout in Indianapolis franchise history.

His son is regarded as the consensus top wideout prospect in this year’s class (*and a generational talent), and if anything, appears to be a bigger chip off the ole’ block of his father, as he possesses the same elite hands, route running, ball skills, speed, and explosion to be a perennial NFL All-Pro—with just more size (at 6’3”, 209 pounds) and physicality than his pops.

Via NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah:

“Harrison has ideal size, speed and production. Built like a power forward, he plays with a blend of physicality and explosiveness. He uses his upper-body strength to power through press coverage. He’s a smooth/fluid route runner and closes the cushion quickly. He gets on the toes of cornerbacks before sharply breaking off his route. He can tap into another gear when the ball goes up and he tracks over his shoulder with ease. He knows how to use his big frame to wall off and shield defenders. Harrison has a huge catch radius, but he did have some contact drops in traffic this fall. After the catch, he relies on speed and physicality more than elusiveness. Overall, Harrison is a prototypical No. 1 receiver and should enjoy immediate NFL success.”

If there was a ‘can’t miss prospect’ in this year’s class, aside from arguably Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt, Harrison Jr. is probably it, given his elite talent/athleticism, high-level production, and strong NFL bloodlines.

Earlier this past weekend, Colts general manager Chris Ballard called trading up for Harrison Jr. as “fantasy-land.” However, Irsay has always treated the franchise’s former players as family—especially it’s great ones, and there could be a strong will and conviction to have the Harrisons become a longtime legacy and family affair in Indianapolis—from Hall-of-Fame father to future Hall-of-Fame son—at least at Jr.’s current lofty pro projection.

At the end of the day, if his sentiment is strong enough, he calls the shots—and has the ability to overrule Ballard on draft decisions—including on trading up for Harrison Jr.