Getty NKeal Harry
The Twitterverse was unkind to the New England Patriots‘ N’Keal Harry after the disappointing former first-round pick requested a trade through his agent on Tuesday.
Harry was set to head into training camp ahead of his third season with the Patriots later this month. A potential battle for a roster spot was likely, and some had predicted Harry would be the odd man out. If Harry gets his wish, he will get a fresh start with another club where the circumstances may be different.
Here is the statement that was posted by NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo from Harry’s agent Jamal Tooson:
For the past several months, I have been working in cooperation with the Patriots behind the scenes to put a plan in place to allow N’Keal to thrive in New England. Through two seasons, he has 86 targets, which obviously hasn’t met the expectations the Patriots and N’Keal had when they drafted a dominant downfield threat who was virtually unstoppable at the point of attack in college. Following numerous conversations with the Patriots, I believe it’s time for a fresh start and best for both parties if N’Keal moves on before the start of training camp. That is why I have informed the Patriots today I am formally requesting a trade on behalf of my client. N’Keal understands a key ingredient to production is opportunity. He will continue to work hard to develop and refine his craft after missing a large portion of his rookie year to injury. His draft-day expectations for his NFL career have not changed. We are confident success is just around the corner for him and will aggressively pursue it.
Twitter Roasts Harry for His Trade Request
As you might expect, everyone with at least a fleeting interest in the Patriots had a take on Harry’s trade request. Barstool Sports tweeted: “N’Keal Harry Requests a Trade in the Cringiest Way Possible.”
NFL SpinZone called Harry “a disaster,” and said his tenure with the Patriots seemed to “be coming to a merciful end.”
Damon Amendolara of CBS Sports took umbrage with the assumption that Harry and his agent were blaming the Patriots for the player’s failure.
N’Keal Harry is… blaming the Patriots?! 😂😂
Deadspin tweeted, “N’Keal Harry has lost his mind.”
KC Kingdom and pro-Kansas-City-Chiefs account wants their team to steer clear of Harry on the trade market.
I’m usually all for the Brett Veach reclamation project acquisitions but I’m just not feeling it at all with N’Keal Harry. He’s just another “meh” receiver and the Chiefs already have plenty of those on roster so he doesn’t really add anything for me.
Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson called Harry a “cautionary tale of WR scouting.”
N’Keal Harry story so far is a cautionary tale of WR scouting
Dominant in college, but look HOW he was dominant. Contested catches+manufactured YAC plays
Contested catches are transient
Couldn’t separate in college, can’t separate now, & now the offense isn’t built around him
USA Today’s Henry McKenna didn’t bother with anything other a stat comparison of Harry, and the other receivers drafted in the first and second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
WRs in 2019 draft (rounds 1&2)
25: M. Brown: 104 rec, 1,353 yds, 15TDs
32: N’KEAL HARRY: 45 REC, 414 YDS, 4TDS
36: D. Samuel: 90 rec, 1,193 yds, 4TDs
51: A. J. Brown: 122 rec, 2,126 yds, 19TDs
56: M. Hardman: 67 rec, 1,098 yds, 10TDs
64: DK Metcalf: 141 rec, 2,203 yds, 17TDS
Harry’s Trade Request and Failure is an Indictment on the Patriots’ WR Development
While most of the jokes were on Harry, some pointed out this unceremonious exit also further reveals the Patriots’ inability to spot and develop quality receivers. The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer wrote:
They can’t afford to wait for a third-year breakout that’s unlikely to come from Harry, at least in their offense. Harry, only 23 and once a big-time playmaker at Arizona State, has too much raw talent not to see some interest. To the Patriots, he is the latest drafted wideout to go through the revolving door after not being a good fit for their demanding scheme.
It is tough to tell how much of the blame falls on Harry and what level sits with the Patriots and their offense. However, it is undeniable, this arrangement has been a failure.