Patriots Rumors: N'Keal Harry Agrees to 4-Year, $10M Rookie Contract

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver N'Keal Harry signed a four-year deal worth just less than $10.1 million with the team on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The contract also includes a $5,364,252 signing bonus.

Harry is a big, strong wideout who makes tough, contested catches and should be a major weapon in the red zone given his ability to win jump balls. He's a solid blocker in the run game and can play out of the slot as well, though his lack of high-end speed or agility means he often struggles to create separation in the pass game.

He's the type of player the Patriots needed, however, with Josh Gordon and Rob Gronkowski no longer on the team. While James White and Julian Edelman are excellent options in the passing game and will each accumulate a ton of touches next season, Harry gives Brady a weapon on the outside capable of making plays down the field. 

While he'll have an adjustment period, he has a chance to be an immediate starter ahead of players like Demaryius Thomas and Maurice Harris, pairing with Phillip Dorsett on the outside. And if he picks up the offense quickly, the Patriots will likely build some wrinkles into the offense for him as well.

The Patriots haven't used a first-round pick on a wide receiver since 1996 (Terry Glenn) and have only used four first-round selections on offensive skill-position players (tight ends Daniel Graham in 2002 and Benjamin Watson in 2004, running backs Laurence Maroney in 2006 and Sony Michel in 2018) during the Bill Belichick era.

So Harry's selection broke the mold for the Patriots, which will only add to the high expectations he brings with him to Foxborough. He was impressive during his time at Arizona State, and if he continues to evolve, he'll provide Tom Brady with a much-needed weapon on the outside.