The Patriots’ biggest draft busts of the last 5 years
The Patriots’ biggest draft busts of the last 5 years
![Published Caption: Patriots receiver N’Keal Harry fends off Dolphins defender Jerome Baker after a third-quarter reception in Week 1. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig] Original Caption: Patriots receiver N’Keal Harry fends off Dolphins defender Jerome Baker after a third-quarter reception in Week 1.Patriots Expecting More From N Keal Harry](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F85c2737d4c071c6fc1b93e93e2aa78844864b3abe9feccb1e26a99bdf6b651a8.jpg "Published Caption: Patriots receiver N’Keal Harry fends off Dolphins defender Jerome Baker after a third-quarter reception in Week 1. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig] Original Caption: Patriots receiver N’Keal Harry fends off Dolphins defender Jerome Baker after a third-quarter reception in Week 1.Patriots Expecting More From N Keal Harry")
N’Keal Harry – WR
DRAFTED: 32nd overall in the 2019 draft
STATS: 33 games – 57/103 receptions for 598 yards, 4 touchdowns
Probably the most obvious of all the draft busts has to be N’Keal Harry, who was just the second receiver chosen in the 2019 draft behind Marquise Brown. His selection has continued to be a punchline for those outside New England and a haunting memory to Patriots fans because of the receivers chosen after him.
The more notable players selected not long after Harry were;
- Deebo Samuel – pick 36 by the 49ers
- A.J. Brown – pick 51 by the Titans
- D.K. Metcalf – pick 64 by the Seahawks
- Terry McLaurin – pick 76 by the Commanders
All have gone on to have incredibly productive careers and are consistently at the top of their position, whereas Harry struggled to even get on the field in his three years in New England.
His career began on injured reserve, and his rookie season didn’t amount to much. However, his second season in 2020 saw his most production yet, with 33 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns from Cam Newton, who admittedly hoped to revive the young player’s career.
The following season, Harry requested a trade in the summer via his agent on social media and asked to be moved before training camp. Belichick and Harry reportedly discussed the request, and he stayed with the team for the 2021 season. But just a year later, he was finally traded to the Chicago Bears for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft, a drastic decrease in value from his first-round selection.