Patriots: Latest update proves N’Keal Harry needs to be traded before camp
By Mike Luciano
The New England Patriots have two disgruntled starters from last year that could end up getting traded before the season starts. While cornerback Stephon Gilmore remains one of the best players in the league at his position, wide receiver N’Keal Harry has requested out despite subpar production.
The Arizona State product and former No. 32 overall selection has recorded just 45 catches in two seasons, and while he has struggled with injuries, concerns about his speed and ability to separate appear to have been validated by his poor performance.
Harry has formally requested a trade, as he seems to think that whatever Josh McDaniels is instructing him to do in New England is not conducive to getting his career on track. Even with these requests, the Patriots plan on bringing him back to training camp.
Josina Anderson is reporting that the Patriots’ plan for Harry involves him coming to training camp amid all of these rumors. Despite this black cloud hanging over New England, the team is just going to act like Harry’s comments are either water under the bridge or not controversial?
They need to trade him before camp comes around.
Update: As dialogue continues with the team, I'm told the current plan is for #Patriots WR N'Keal Harry to attend training camp. In his ongoing preparation for team activities, Harry currently has plans to train with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, per source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 12, 2021
The New England Patriots need to get rid of N’Keal Harry.
Harry is not going to get the Patriots a ton in return. Despite the possibility that he could succeed in an offense that uses him more as a presence over the middle, no one will give New England anything close to a Day 1 or 2 draft pick considering how Harry has been stuck in neutral.
The wideout has seen his spot as a starter washed away by the additions of Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. With Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry at tight end as well as James White back at running back, it’s not unreasonable to assume Harry would be the sixth or seventh option in the passing game.
And his presence at training camp likely won’t help him move up or down the depth chart. At that point, he’ll merely contribute to negative media coverage and attract attention to the Patriots that Bill Belichick certainly doesn’t want. The best solution for both parties is a fresh start for Harry, and dragging this out helps no one.
Harry’s long-term future is clearly not going to be in New England, and every day that the Pats keep him on the roster only makes this situation less stable. He still has plenty of talent to work with, but he and New England appear to be as compatible as oil and water. Bringing him to training camp would be a massive mistake.
