N’Keal Harry drafted by the Patriots with their first-round pick
Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry was selected by the New England Patriots No. 32 overall with the final pick of the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots selected Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry with the final pick of the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Harry was projected to go right around the turn of the first round into the second, so his selection at No. 32 seems about right. He also goes to a team where he will have an immediate chance at making an impact as a starter – the Patriots lost 2018 starting receivers Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency.
With a depth chart lacking significant weapons beyond Super Bowl 53 MVP Julian Edelman, New England was expected to consider a wide receiver early in this draft. The Patriots’ top needs entering this offseason were identified by many to be receiver, tight end, defensive end, defensive lineman, and potentially quarterback (considering Tom Brady will be 42 before the 2019 regular season begins).
The Patriots haven’t selected a wide receiver in the first round since drafting Terry Glenn with the No. 7 overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. Notably, New England has never drafted a wide receiver in the first round under head coach and general manager Bill Belichick.
Harry will presumably have the opportunity to step right into a starting role with the Patriots in 2019. Assuming he can pick up a complex playbook and master the many intricacies of one of the most difficult offenses in the NFL to learn, Harry could develop into a true, stretch-the-field vertical receiving threat for Brady… the kind of which he hasn’t really had since Randy Moss came to town.
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Especially with Josh Gordon still serving an indefinite suspension as he rehabilitates from substance abuse issues, the Patriots 100% needed to address their wide receiver depth chart in this draft. And thanks to picking N’Keal Harry at No. 32 overall, it appears they have taken the first step to doing just that.