Potential Trade Destinations for Patriots' Former 1st-Round WR N'Keal Harry
July 8, 2021
It looks like yet another highly drafted New England Patriots wide receiver will exit Foxborough a bust now that N'Keal Harry's agent has relayed his client's request to be traded.
The 2019 first-round pick won't likely fetch a lot on the trade market because he's caught just 45 passes in two disappointing NFL seasons. That said, he's still just 23 and has the size, strength and hands to excel in the right environment.
New England has proved not to be the right environment for a lot of promising young receivers, and it's fair to wonder if the Patriots system has been a factor there. Then again, few receivers drafted by New England have gone on to have much success elsewhere.
Regardless, somebody will likely convince themselves they can get far more out of Harry than the Pats did.
Here's a rundown of teams most likely to take a swing at the Arizona State product by putting a late-round draft pick on the table in a trade proposal.
Could it hurt? The Eagles are obviously hoping young first-round picks Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith can step up in 2021, but a team that is likely rebuilding while testing quarterback Jalen Hurts for a year still lacks depth at that important position.
Might as well see if the talented Harry could establish a connection with Hurts in place of (or in support of) Reagor and/or Smith. He should at least be able to battle Travis Fulgham for a spot on the boundary.
This is another "why not?" scenario. Harry might not be ready to challenge DJ Chark Jr. or Laviska Shenault Jr. in Jacksonville, but it's still unclear how those guys will adapt to a new quarterback and a new system, and newcomer Marvin Jones Jr. has a pretty clear ceiling at this point. Plus, for what it's worth, Chark is slated to hit free agency next offseason.
Harry would have a shot at the No. 4 receiver job for a team that is building up slowly and could give him some time and space to develop with Trevor Lawrence under Urban Meyer. However, he may be required to change his name to "N'Keal Harry Jr." in order to fit in.
Houston's receiving corps is in poor shape, and that offense could really use another option opposite Brandin Cooks outside while Randall Cobb holds things down in the slot. Plus, Harry could be a strong candidate for a "big slot" role moving forward, as Cobb is likely low on fuel at 30.
Critically, the Texans do not look like a contender and can afford to give Harry time to find himself in a new setting.
The Saints are putting a lot on the shoulders of Michael Thomas and Tre'Quan Smith at the outset of the post-Drew Brees era, especially now that Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook are gone.
There's a severe lack of depth in that receiving corps, and it might be worth seeing if Harry could establish some chemistry with Jameis Winston and/or Taysom Hill this summer.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Bears slot receiver Anthony Miller was up for bids on the trade market, and the Bears had spoken "with a number of teams" about a potential deal in April. Nothing has transpired on that front, but Chicago did not draft a receiver until Round 6, and Harry could be a potential "big slot" replacement for Miller.
There's also something about a clean slate with a new quarterback. It'd be worth seeing if Harry and rookie first-round pick Justin Fields could get on the same page this summer, especially with veteran No. 1 wideout Allen Robinson II entering a potential walk year under the franchise tag.
There are a lot of questions beyond Terry McLaurin outside for the Washington Football Team. The team brought in Curtis Samuel to man the primary slot job in the receiving corps but is otherwise praying Kelvin Harmon can bounce back from a torn ACL to take the reins opposite Scary Terry.
How about Scary Terry and Scary Harry? Regardless, there's certainly a need for receiver depth outside of the slot in D.C.
The No. 3 wide receiver spot looks to be wide-open for a potential contender, and new Bolts offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi would probably be excited about testing out a versatile and skilled player like Harry with young Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert.
You wonder, though, if the Pats would shy away from trading him to a team with whom they might be battling for a playoff spot come December.
Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012. Follow him on Twitter: @Brad_Gagnon.