New England Patriots 2019 odds: Bet on a N’Keal Harry 1,000-yard season

New England Patriots rookie N’Keal Harry could emerge as one of the top offensive rookies in the NFL.

Can New England Patriots first-round pick N’Keal Harry become the first rookie wide receiver since Terry Glenn to record a 1,000-yard season?

The Arizona State product certainly has the size and skillset to turn into one of Tom Brady’s most reliable targets, but how quickly?

With 10/1 odds to win NFL Rookie of the Year in 2019, Harry is certainly not flying under the radar as far as potential.  However, former NFL wide receiver Reggie Wayne has injected a dose of reality into any high expectations set for N’Keal Harry.

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As a player who had a chance to play in the Patriots offensive system, Wayne knows adjustment over talent is the key to how quickly Harry becomes an impact player.

"“I think you have to pump (the) brakes a little bit on N’Keal Harry and understand it’s going to be a process,” Wayne said, via Patriots.com as transcribed by Yahoo! Sports.  “And give him a year or so before he can actually go out there and play fast.”"

While Wayne’s brief tenure with the Patriots led to his retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL, he is not the only veteran receiver not to catch on quickly in New England.  However, the advantage Harry has is that he is starting his NFL career in the system.  He is also younger and hungrier than a player like Reggie Wayne was towards the end of his career.

Still, the former Indianapolis Colts star does make a good point.  It could take Harry a season in the system really reach his potential.

"“I’ve always said that it’s going to take a year, maybe a year and a half before you can adjust to the speed and what’s going on for an NFL football team, especially for a quarterback like Tom Brady, Wayne added."

There has been evidence of that as far as New England Patriots wide receivers go.  Though Malcolm Mitchell became a key contributor towards the middle of his rookie campaign, it did take him a while to build chemistry and trust with Brady.  But he also wasn’t a first-round pick nor did he have as much pressure as N’Keal Harry has to be effective right away.

Bet on a 1,000-yard season

As much hype as N’Keal Harry is getting, it would be easy to assume the 6-foot-3 wide receiver wouldn’t live up to the high expectations with the spotlight on him.

As Patriots fans, we all know how things work in New England.

Bill Belichick will not let the hype get to Harry.  So, as long as he stays humble and work yard to get better, he will remain a focal point on the field.

Besides, without Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady will need a big target to get the ball to, especially outside the numbers.

With his ability to fight for the ball, the Patriots first-round pick will get the targets.  If he makes plays early and often, the receiving yards will be there and so will Brady’s trust.

Yes, a 1,000-yard season is a bold prediction, but it is not out of the realm of possibility given the talent and size of Harry. Of course, that can also depend on how well Demaryius Thomas catches on and whether or not Josh Gordon is reinstated.

Even if he doesn’t reach the 1,000-yard plateau, bet on N’Keal Harry to be a factor for the New England Patriots in 2019.