Saturday's DeVante Parker trade could spell the end of N'Keal Harry's tenure in New England. But the Patriots reportedly do not have any imminent plans to cut ties with the first-round draft bust.
As of Monday afternoon, Harry had "not received indication he'll be released," according to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
"But (the) draft could dictate movement on (a) release or trade," Fowler tweeted.
Harry's name has been mentioned in trade rumors since last spring, with the Patriots evidently receiving no acceptable offers for the 24-year-old wide receiver.
Drafted ahead of players like A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson and Hunter Renfrow in 2019, Harry has managed just 57 receptions on 103 targets for 598 yards and four touchdowns over his three pro seasons. In 2021, he averaged exactly one catch per game (12 in 12 appearances) and sat out one late-season contest as a healthy scratch, with practice squad call-up Kristian Wilkerson playing in his place and scoring two touchdowns.
Harry was fourth on the Patriots wideout depth chart for most of this past season behind Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Parker, who's two years removed from a 1,200-yard, nine-touchdown campaign, should be an instant starter for New England if he can stay healthy, pushing Harry further down that list.
The Patriots also could look to add another pass-catcher in this year's NFL draft, which is considered flush with receiver talent.
Though some other team still could be intrigued by Harry's youth and impressive physical gifts (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), he's likely played his final game in a Patriots uniform. The question is whether New England will be able to find a trade partner or will ultimately choose to release him.
The Patriots sent a 2023 third-round draft pick to Miami for Parker and a 2022 fifth-rounder, giving them a total of eight picks in this year's draft.
