NFL Writer Suggests N’Keal Harry Trade Idea For Patriots

This week offered another reminder that N’Keal Harry’s days with the Patriots might be numbered.

Harry, who requested a trade out of New England last offseason, hasn’t been present for the team-sanctioned offseason workouts. Virtually every other wide receiver on the Patriots’ depth chart, including newcomer DeVante Parker, showed up for the training sessions in Foxboro.

With Harry’s well-documented uncertain future with the Patriots, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell included the Arizona State product in his 2022 all-trades mock draft. In this hypothetical, the Green Bay Packers take a chance on the 2019 first-rounder who’s yet to live up to expectations in the NFL.

Here’s a breakdown of Barnwell’s proposed deal:

Packers receive: Harry, 21st overall draft pick, 85th overall pick (third round)
Patriots receive: 28th overall pick, 59th overall pick (second round)

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And here’s why Barnwell believes the trade makes sense for both sides:

There’s something a little weird about the Packers trading up to No. 21 when they also pick at No. 22, but this would be a way to attack if there are two prospects who stand out as their pick approaches. General manager Brian Gutekunst has extra picks in the first, second and fourth rounds, so Green Bay has more draft capital than most teams if it wants to be selective. It can move up here, draft a wide receiver with one of its two first-round picks and simultaneously take a flier on Harry, who needs a change of scenery after a disappointing tenure with the Pats.

New England would get another one of the second-round picks Belichick loves while remaining in position to address the offensive line or secondary at No. 28. Moving on from Harry might be seen as a plus by some Patriots fans; this deal values him as being worth the 216th pick in a typical draft. The Packers would decline Harry’s fifth-year option and give him a shot for 2022, when he’s signed for a modest $1.9 million, only 36% of which is guaranteed.

The Patriots very well might be looking to cut bait with Harry and move down in the first round in this draft, so this hypothetical trade would kill two birds with one stone. Harry obviously hasn’t proven to be a game-changer, but this suggested trade also would satisfy the typically preferred objective of moving a player to the opposite conference.

At this point, Belichick and company probably aren’t going to be very picky when it comes to talking shop about Harry.