Patriots news & rumors: Harry’s resurgence; the Denzel Mims watch
Well, what do you know? One of the biggest surprises during training camp has been the strong showing from New England Patriots third-year wide receiver N’Keal Harry.
Yeah, I know, don’t fall for it, but one has to be impressed by Harry’s consistency so far in camp, especially after the Arizona State product publicly requested a trade near the start of training camp.
Harry’s strong camp doesn’t mean he won’t be traded prior to the start of the season, but it does give the receiver some confidence. Though the numbers haven’t been there his first two seasons in the NFL, he still has the size and strength to be a factor in the NFL.
The question is, will it be with the Patriots or some other team. As of now, perhaps Harry is showing Bill Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff he may not be a complete bust.
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N’Keal Harry has something to prove to the Patriots and the rest of the NFL
In fact, he still has something to prove to the doubters and maybe this is the season he finally backs up his words on the field.
"“I feel like I’ve been taking really good care of my body, feeling good out there and I’m just trying to stack the days,” Harry said following practice on Sunday, via Patriots.com. “Just get a little bit better each day. That’s just been my main focus this whole training camp, this whole offseason, I had a vision the whole time. Now I’m starting to attack that vision every day.”"
In all, is N’Keal Harry just increasing his trade value or is he really pushing for a spot on this Patriots roster? The next three weeks will answer that question.
NFL rumors: Could Patriots land New York Jets receiver Denzel Mims
The New England Patriots aren’t the only team in the AFC East with a highly drafted receiver on the roster bubble.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox lists New York Jets second-year receiver Denzel Mims as one of five NFL players likely to be traded before the start of the 2021 season.
Ironically, Patriots former first-round pick N’Keal Harry is also on that list. Could Belichick make a phone call to the rival Jets and swap young receivers?
These two teams have made a couple deals as of late, so can’t rule out this possibility, but first let’s explore whether the Jets realistically would depart with a talent like Mims so soon after he is drafted?
As Knox writes, the 6-foot-3 speedy receiver could be the odd man out in New York due to what the team has done at the position in the offseason:
"“The Jets added wideouts Corey Davis, Keelan Cole and rookie Elijah Moore this offseason. They’re also changing offenses under new coordinator Mike LaFleur. This could lead to a situation where playing time would be sparse, if even obtainable, for Mims.”"
From second-round pick in 2020 to roster bubble in 2021?
Next. New England Patriots: 3 biggest storylines heading into Training Camp. dark
That makes Sims’ situation with the Jets worse than Harry in New England. If both players need a change of scenery to revive their young careers, these two AFC East rivals could provide the antidote.
While the Patriots and Jets helping each other seem asinine, a swap of young receivers makes sense. Denzel Mims is a receiver to keep an eye on, especially if he is actually cut prior to the season.