New England Patriots: Here’s why N’Keal Harry won’t be a bust

New England Patriots first round pick N’Keal Harry has yet to play a regular season NFL game and is already being considered a bust by some local team pundits.

Is New England Patriots 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry already a bust at the wide receiver position?

Local Boston Sports radio show 98.5 The Sports Hub with Felger & Mazz posed the question during their broadcast on Thursday.  While it is unfair to consider him a bust before he has even played a game in a Patriots’ uniform, the debate was more about Bill Belichick’s draft history when it comes to drafting wide receivers.

While Julian Edelman and Deion Branch were hits, names like Bethel Johnson, Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson and Chad Jackson didn’t pan out so well for the Patriots, but none of those players were taken as high as N’Keal Harry.

So, could the Arizona product be the biggest draft bust at wide receiver?

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Due to both talent and the work ethic he has shown in practice since being activated from Injured Reserve back to the 53-man roster, there is an argument that he could and should pan out for the New England Patriots.

Along with learning from relentless receivers like Edelman and Mohamed Sanu, Harry also gets to practice against the best secondary in the league.  According to veteran safety Devin McCourty, he has been both impressing and frustrating the defensive backs with that hard work and relentless effort.

"“I think he continues to get better,” McCourty said during an appearance on Dale & Keefe Thursday, via WEEI.  “One of the things he does a really good job of is playing hard in practice.  He at times, he p**** off the DBs because he works his butt off – out there blocking, out there getting open.  I think that is the good thing about seeing him out there running around.”"

Due to the fact that he has missed the first nine weeks of football to a hamstring injury, he is already behind in what the offense is doing.  He also has to play some catchup in gaining chemistry with Tom Brady.  While the 42-year-old quarterback is happy to have the talent of N’Keal Harry available, he did note that any success this season will be up to the rookie.

So, while it is way too early to call him a bust, anything the New England Patriots offense and Tom Brady gets out of Harry will be considered a welcomed bonus at this point in the season.

If he shows the type of work ethic and commitment in real games that he has shown on the practice field, N’Keal Harry will not be a bust within the Patriots system.  Whether he eventually becomes a top receiver in the game will be the only question.

For now, let the kid show what he can do before blowing him off as a wasted pick.