Patriots: 3 contenders who will make better use of N’Keal Harry

New England Patriots fans emerged from their 4th of July slumber to significant news regarding one of the team’s most intriguing offseason storylines.

You know how the Patriots were adding wide receivers to their already bloated depth chart this offseason? As it turns out, Bill Belichick and the rest of the front office might have seen this coming, because N’Keal Harry formally requested a trade from the franchise.

Ironically enough, the bombshell dropped just hours after ESPN’s Mike Reiss pegged Harry as a potential training camp cut.

Clearly not keen on fighting for his place on the roster, the 2019 first-round pick would rather start anew elsewhere, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The Patriots were likely going to cut ties with Harry after the upcoming season anyway, so they might as well recoup a late-round draft pick now, right?

In any event, Harry, despite creeping dangerously close to “bust” territory, will likely have a plethora of teams vying for his services. However, trading for the third-year pro would be a massive risk, so what contenders would make better use of Harry?

These three teams could get the best out of N’Keal Harry.

3. Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team would no doubt rank higher on their list, but their status as a “contender” is up for debate, so they land at No. 3. However, with a revamped offense and vaunted defense, we certainly wouldn’t want to face them in the postseason.

Getting back to the matter at hand, Washington was reportedly one of the teams interested in Harry when speculation of his future with the Patriots first surfaced back in March. Given how poorly his first two years have gone, just being wanted has to count for something.

Though the Football Team added Curtis Samuel in free agency, Harry would have an excellent chance of competing for the No. 3 spot behind Samuel and Terry McLaurin. Adam Humphries, another free agent addition, is an underrated slot receiver, but, as presently constructed,  Washington’s receiving corps lacks height and physicality.

Washington could rejuvenate the struggling N’Keal Harry.

We don’t mean that as a slight to Samuel, McLaurin or Humphries, but at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Harry would bring a new dimension to the Football Team’s offense. Keep in mind that McLaurin has only caught 11 touchdowns over his first two campaigns, too.

The 2019 third-round pick has been hindered by suspect quarterback play, and Ryan Fitzpatrick will certainly serve as an improvement, but there’s nothing wrong with admitting that some receivers, as talented as they might be, just don’t flourish in the TD department.

Harry, on the other hand, has the physical tools to be that red zone presence for Washington.