Patriots: N’Keal Harry nearly killing drive in 4th quarter proves he’s a liability

Since the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick took a risk on N’Keal Harry and selected him as a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the wide receiver hasn’t done much for the team or come anywhere close to the high expectations placed upon him.

In his three years in the league, Harry has 47 catches on 84 targets (which is a 55% completion rate) for 433 yards and four touchdowns, but most of those numbers came from the 2020 season … and that year he still trailed Julian Edelman in receiving yards despite playing in EIGHT more games.

So, again, why did we think Harry would be turning over a new leaf in 2021?

After seeing him give quarterback Mac Jones a deer in the headlights look during a crucial fourth quarter drive against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, it’s obvious Harry is a liability and won’t be here much longer.

Not only did Jones have to help him through the motions on a 2nd and 5 play from the Cowboys 10-yard line, but so did fellow wide receiver Gunner Olszewski, who had to tell him where to stand.

Harry tried to play off like he knew what was going on, but it became even more evident he didn’t have a clue when Jones started waving his hand and yelled, “You got the out route,” to make him get on the same page.

N’Keal Harry’s lack of awareness nearly cost the Patriots.

Thankfully, the Pats scored on that drive to take the lead, but these are the exact situations a Bill Belichick-coached team tends to avoid given how costly such mistakes can be. How many times have we seen players get yanked for fumbling or failing to execute an assignment. Not knowing a play when you’re already contributing on a limited snap count is a serious red flag.

Yes, Harry has dealt with injuries, quarterback changes and struggles on the field, but as a third-year player, that doesn’t give him any excuse to not know the playbook. He should have that thing memorized by now.

However, at the same time, the disconnect and the sheer inattention to detail is sometimes indicative of a player who isn’t happy in his current situation … which wouldn’t be a surprise given Harry’s trade demand in the offseason.

Nonetheless, fellow third-year player Jakobi Meyers doesn’t have these kinds of issues. He knows the playbook, and he’s currently the team’s leading receiver with 36 catches for 346 yards. He finished the game with five catches on six targets for 44 yards.

Jonnu Smith, who the Patriots picked up from the Tennessee Titans in free agency, hasn’t had a problem learning the playbook. He has 16 catches for 124 yards and one score. Former Charger Hunter Henry is another pickup New England acquired in the free agency. He leads the team with three touchdown catches (and 22 receptions for 241 yards overall). Henry scored a touchdown in the last three games and has been a clutch target for Jones, as he has a 78 completion rate passing to the veteran tight end.

Another name that recently joined the Patriots is Kendrick Bourne from the 49ers, he is the third leading receiver with 18 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Throw in Nelson Agholor, too, who came over from the Raiders. He has 17 catches for 224 yards and a score.

Meyers is the only wideout that has been on this squad as long as Harry, and yet the two are opposites when it comes to production and reliability, which goes to show where this relationship is headed. Don’t be surprised if Harry is gone by the trade deadline since he’s yet to prove anything in his limited playing time while everyone else is lapping him.

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