New England Patriots feel ‘fortunate’ to have drafted N’Keal Harry
New England Patriots first-round pick N’Keal Harry graded higher on the team’s draft board than where they selected him in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots needed a big offensive playmaker and they got one in Arizona State product N’Keal Harry.
Drafted with the 31st pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the talented wide receiver is already turning heads during organized team activities, showing why he is going to be quite the weapon for Tom Brady.
Already learning how to be an effective route runner from a veteran receiver such as Julian Edelman, the Patriots have to be feeling good about Harry falling to them late in the first round as they had him graded a lot higher on the board.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
The fact that Bill Belichick drafted a wide receiver in the first round shows how high he was on his first-round selection. Todd Graham, a former college coach of N’Keal Harry, backed that up even more by revealing what Belichick told him after the Arizona State product was selected.
"“When I talked to coach Belichick the night that he drafted N’Keal,” Graham told Jeff Howe of the Athletic, via Yahoo Sports! “[Belichick] told me, ‘Man, we were so fortunate that he was still there.’ They were so glad he was still available. They had him graded a lot higher than where he was taken in the first round.”"
Why wouldn’t he feel fortunate?
Harry is coming off back-to-back, 1,000-yard seasons at Arizona State. Beyond the numbers, the 6-foot-2, 228-pound receiver brings the type of physicality to the wide receiver position that can help offset the void left by Rob Gronkowski in the passing game.
Of course, how effective he is and how quickly he becomes a force will depend on how he is able to pick up the system. So far, he has been putting in extra work with Tom Brady and Julian Edelman and appears destined to become an instant contributor.
Saying the right things
Speaking of working with Julian Edelman, the one area N’Keal Harry feels he needs to work on is his route running and what better player to learn from than the 33-year-old Super Bowl LIII MVP.
As a young player coming into the league with the size and talent Harry has, he has the luxury of learning from a professional like Edelman who simply does not take plays off. Though different in size, Edelman brings a level of intensity to the game that will benefit Harry in his young NFL career.
"“Just following his lead,” Harry told NBC Sports Boston’s Nick Goss during OTAs. “Just seeing the types of things he does, seeing the way he prepares before practice, after practice. Those are going to be the biggest things. He’s helped me a lot so far.”"
dark. Next. New England Patriots: Projecting team’s wide receiver depth chart
Catching the ball from who many call the greatest quarterback to have ever played the game won’t hurt either.
Boy, does Tom Brady and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have something special to work with.