The Patriots constantly-changing receiver corps will be adding an intriguing weapon. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that New England has activated rookie N’Keal Harry off the injured reserve.
The first-round rookie started practicing with the Patriots in mid-October, meaning they had until this afternoon to add him to their active roster. The Arizona State product was relatively quiet during the preseason, hauling in only a pair of catches for 36 yards. He later landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Back in September, it was uncertain if Harry would even play during his rookie year, as the team was rostering the likes of Julian Edelman, Antonio Brown, and Josh Gordon. Now, the team’s receiving depth chart is led by Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, and the recently-acquired Mohamed Sanu. While the rookie is unlikely to unseat any of those three, he’ll at the very least provide Tom Brady with another tall (6-foot-4) red-zone target.
Harry was a standout during his three years at Arizona State, including a 2018 campaign where he hauled in 73 receptions for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns. He ended up being selected by New England with the 32nd-overall pick, making him the second wideout off the board (behind Ravens draft pick Marquise Brown). He was also the first receiver to be taken in the first round during Bill Belichick‘s tenure with the organization.
It’s a shame he missed the first half of the season. This kid is talented enough to have been a potential ROY candidate, but now that he’s lost so much time, it will be difficultly for him to add much value to a very complicated offensive scheme New England runs. Once he runs the wrong route or forgets to square off the route when the safety is helping, Brady will banish him to the doghouse. Let’s hope he’s a quick learner and can earn Brady’s trust is short order. If he can, he could be a legitimate weapon for the Patriots’ offense.
Honestly I don’t think he has a choice but to trust him. I expect him to be working in a lot of the red zone sets that used to go to Gronk. Harry is huge and can get open quickly down there.