N’Keal Harry’s disastrous start with Patriots mercifully at its end

New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry has requested a trade, likely ending his tenure in Foxborough.

Those who are of the mindset that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick struggles in the NFL Draft can now add N’Keal Harry to that list.

The former first-round pick out of Arizona State has struggled since arriving in Foxborough and has now requested a trade through his agent, citing Harry’s desire for “a fresh start.” Harry’s career in New England through two seasons includes 45 receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns.

To make a long story short, the production (or lack thereof) might be a justifiable cause to part ways. However, the story doesn’t really end or begin here. Instead, it goes back to the belief that the Patriots have simply struggled when it comes to picking wide receivers at the top of the draft in the Belichick era, or perhaps the draft as a whole.

What other reason is there for New England investing heavily in free agents, notably pass catchers this offseason with Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith? One argument could be made that a two-tight end system works wonders for New England and, in the past, that was certainly the case.

On the contrary, it could be due to the glaring fact that during the 2020 season, the Patriots wide receiving corps ranked near the bottom of the league by Pro Football Focus at No. 30.

Perhaps N’Keal Harry rescues his career not with the Patriots but his time in New England was wholly unproductive and disappointing.

As many will recall, Harry tweeted in late December about the outside noise criticizing play on the field. The following game, Harry only had one catch for 12 yards. In contrast, undrafted wide receiver Jakobi Meyers made more of an impact on the offense. That’s not to say that Meyers wasn’t a good player. It merely highlights that draft status does not equate to success on the field.

Also, fellow other receivers from Harry’s draft class, including Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin and DK Metcalf, were taken after Harry and have become stars in the league. Additionally, Scotty Miller and Mecole Hardman — who were also drafted after Harry — have contributed nicely to their respective teams and have won Super Bowls in the process.

Maybe Harry will find that he’s much better suited in a different scheme, and should he perform well there, all the best to him. However, in New England, he’s been a disappointment, and given the position he plays, it justs to a long list of highly drafted receivers in New England in the Belichick era that haven’t lived up to their draft status.