New England Patriots: 3 X-factor players for Week 7 vs. 49ers
3. N’Keal Harry, Wide Receiver
When N’Keal Harry was taken 32nd overall after New England won their sixth Super Bowl, it seemed that the Patriots had gotten an impressive prospect for Tom Brady and he would be a force in the receiving game. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.
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In a draft class that playmakers such as A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf go off the board after him, Harry has yet to make an impact in this league. So far this season, he only has 18 catches for 166 yards and one touchdown.
His career statistics are less than desirable with just three touchdowns in two seasons. Long story short, it’s looking like this draft choice is looming towards a bust status.
The 49ers secondary is nothing to sneeze at. Despite a rough game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Saleh’s group is still imposing and hoping to recapture the edge that propelled them to Miami last season. Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, meanwhile, have to find a way to help Harry gather separation. But in retrospect, it’s mostly up to Harry.
When a team spends a first-round pick on a player, they are looking to see that the chosen players make an impact on the team for the foreseeable future. That has not been the case in the former Arizona State star.
Harry has the measurables for a good wide receiver at 6-4, 225 pounds. But in the NFL, size of the body doesn’t matter as much as the size of production. If Harry wants to stay on the roster, he must step it up or he will move further down the depth chart.