2019 NFL Draft: Grades for every first-round pick

32. New England Patriots: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Grade: A

I always felt like defensive tackle was the most likely position for the New England Patriots to attack with the 32nd pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. They lack impact players at the position and Bill Belichick loves to draft linemen early. However, none of the defensive linemen slipped so the Patriots did something out of character, taking Arizona State wide receiver N’keal Harry.

There was not a consensus top wide receiver in the 2019 NFL Draft and Harry was one of the few who could have been considered. He is a big and powerful receiver who shows an impressive ability to catch the ball in traffic. He played out of the slot and on the outside in college, showing big-time ability and upside at both positions.

Harry displayed the ability to win all over the field, making plays in the short, intermediate and deep passing game. He is also a good playmaker with the ball in his hands, showing more elusiveness than you would typically expect out of a bigger receiver.

Harry does not create consistent separation, but I think that has been overblown. He can go up and get the ball as well as anybody in this NFL draft class, consistently coming down with contested catches. After losing Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots desperately needed to add another pass catcher to the mix. They close out the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by adding arguably the best pass catcher on the board.