Here’s why Patriots would likely have to trade N’Keal Harry to get rid of him

Whether it be through free agency, trade or the draft, the New England Patriots seem poised to make a major addition at wide receiver. We’d even go as far as to say the Patriots should sign/trade for someone AND use the No. 21 overall pick on a top prospect (Drake London, anyone?).

With Mac Jones fresh off a promising rookie season, the Patriots can’t justify buying low at the position anymore. It goes without saying, but Jones is at a point in his career where he still needs lemons to make lemonade.

In other words, New England needs to cut bait with all of the deadwood on the roster. While Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers are worth keeping around, Nelson Agholor and N’Keal Harry don’t exactly deserve another year. Agholor’s future lacks clarity, but it feels like a guarantee that Harry won’t be on the roster for much longer.

Most of Patriots Nation would endorse ripping off the band-aid and just releasing Harry in one fell swoop. However, trading the 2019 first-rounder is the more likely course of action given it would save the team more cap space.

https://twitter.com/McKennAnalysis/status/1501567734244651021?s=20&t=hMV_uwGy5NrLSGex5kNVtQ

The Patriots are more likely to trade N’Keal Harry than release him.

Finding a trade partner for Harry could prove difficult, but what do the Patriots have to lose at this point? A $673,000 difference might not seem like much, but teams should always look to maximize their cap savings on a lost cause and that’s where Harry stands after three dismal seasons in New England.

The former Arizona State star was limited to seven games as a rookie due to injury. And when he was on the field, he struggled to develop a rapport with Tom Brady and finished with 12 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Somehow, it hasn’t gotten much better for Harry since then, as he’s blown ample opportunities to assert himself as a full-time starter. In 26 games (just 13 starts), Harry’s managed 45 passes for 493 yards and two scores.

That startling lack of production culminated in Harry requesting a trade through his agent last summer. Not only was the ask not granted, but he proceeded to suffer a shoulder injury during the preseason that held him out through Week 3.

It’s unclear where Harry ranks among the worst first-round busts in Patriots history, but the fact he’s more recognized for his work as a run-blocker than a receiver tells you all you need to know. Again, we’re talking about a player who caught 155 passes for 2,230 yards and 17 touchdowns over his final two years in the Pac-12.

The Patriots have until May 2 to come to a decision on Harry’s fifth-year option. Hopefully they will have found a trade partner before then … because cutting him to save $400K seems like a gigantic waste.

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