Maurice Harris looking like a star so far at wide receiver

It’s still early-on in the Patriots’ training camp and preseason phase of the new season, but new addition Maurice Harris is making waves so far at wideout.

This is the time of year where it’s acceptable to start drawing some conclusions when it comes to NFL roster projections.

It’s one thing to make bold assessments back in March or April during free agency and the draft, when so many transactions are occurring league-wide and most franchises are in some state of major upheaval. The same can be said for May and June during OTAs and minicamp, when head coaches and general managers often throw things at the proverbial wall just to see what sticks and what doesn’t.

But come July and then early August, we’re close enough to the start of the regular season that it’s certainly possible to separate the chaff from the wheat. Sure, there will still be surprise cuts, trades, and signings between now and September 5/8, but it’s also impossible to ignore certain glaring observations.

One of those is the outstanding play and performance thus far of wide receiver Maurice Harris.

Brought over from Washington D.C. after three seasons, Harris showed just enough in limited opportunities during 2018 to earn a place on Bill Belichick’s radar this offseason. When the Redskins declined to tender him as a restricted free agent, Belichick pounced… and it’s looking like another intelligent move by the game’s greatest mind.

As Andrew Callahan of MassLive.com points out, Harris has passed all the tests thrown at him with flying colors since he first donned a Patriots uniform. He mastered a complex offensive scheme and thick playbook very quickly, he’s built a fast rapport with both Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer during practices, and he’s even drawn praise from Belichick for his efforts.

“He’s a smart guy. He’s learned well,” said Belichick of Harris on Monday.

The Boston Herald’s Kevin Duffy agrees, also detailing in a recent column how much of a head-start Harris has garnered over his fellow receiver teammates in the race for starting snaps in the first-string offense.

At this point, it’s not absurd to theorize that it could be Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, and Maurice Harris who eventually lock up the roles as the Patriots’ top-three options at wideout. Edelman is of course the No. 1, and Harry – with his first-round draft pedigree – would have to absolutely flop over the next month not to earn a place in the starting rotation.

Of course, that pecking order can still change between now and the start of the regular season. If and when Josh Gordon gets reinstated by the league office, he would presumably immediately get reinserted into the starting lineup (assuming he’s still in optimum playing shape, as is believed).

Phillip Dorsett could also make a run at the top of the depth chart, though he’s currently more projected as a No. 4 option.

And then there’s Demaryius Thomas, who figures to miss the early portion of the season as he continues rehabbing from a torn Achilles. His status is a bit like Gordon’s – both have been proven, reliable No. 1 or No. 2 options throughout their NFL careers, but both must overcome adversity to find their way back into New England’s plans moving forward this year.