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Written by: Nicholas Mullick
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With the NFL Draft coming up in a few days there are many teams that are still looking to add during the offseason via trade. Especially as the trade market has been one of the craziest that I have ever seen in years. The one player that has been on the trading block is New England Patriots receiver N’Keal Harry. It's obvious that a breakup between the two teams is imminent. N’Keal Harry doesn’t want to be here and won’t show up to voluntary workouts and Harry just is not working in the Patriots system at all. Plus the Patriots will want to try and get out of Harry’s contract. N’Keal Harry currently has 1 year left on his contract, Cap hit of 3.2 million dollars, 1.87 million salary, and 673 thousand dollars is fully guaranteed. So it would be a shock if Harry was not a Patriot, so I thought why not list the Top 5 destinations N’Keal Harry could go to.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
This would be a classic move for a Belichick Disciple-run team to make. To try and copy everything regarding the Patriots to be successful because it worked out so well the many times teams have done this. But on a serious note, it makes sense as N’Keal Harry knows Josh McDaniels system. On a side note why did the Raiders bring Josh McDaniels to be the head coach knowing his controversies in Denver and how bad of a coach he was. But Harry would become a depth piece for the Raiders and give Derek Carr another target to throw to. The Raiders have 5.6 million dollars in cap space and they are looking to add for a playoff push.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Except for Michael Pittman and maybe TE Mo-Alie Cox, the Colts don’t have a lot of consistent and trustworthy receivers for Matt Ryan to throw the ball to. Maybe they can use their first-round pick to select a young receiver for Matt Ryan to throw to. Oh, wait. Their first-round pick is Philadelphia Eagles property (Now New Orleans Saints property) due to the Carson Wentz trade. Well, there is free agency and they did next to nothing to fix the receiver position. The Colts can make a trade for a receiver. Harry could have the potential to fit in the Colts offense and worse for worse he could be a solid depth option for the Colts. The Indianapolis Colts have 13.4 million dollars in cap space so they can economically afford N’Keal Harry on their team.
3. Washington Commanders
Do I again have to ask this question, excluding Terry McLaurin name me one consistent receiver on this team? Exactly, you can’t. Don’t say Curtis Samuel as he can’t stay healthy at all. Everybody else has not been impressed at all. Washington could also lose Terry McLaurin next season as he is on the last year of his contract. But it would be a great idea to give QB Carson Wentz as many targets to throw the ball to. Harry could be more of a fit in Washington’s offense than he was in New England’s offense. Washington has 10.8 million dollars in salary cap and can afford to take N’Keal Harry’s contract.
2. Houston Texans
Can’t rule out former Patriot executives making copycat moves trying to emulate the Patriots. Especially as GM Nick Caserio and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Jack Easterby are doing what they can to bring any former patriot to their team. But the Texans do have a need at giving QB Davis Mills more receivers to throw the ball to and excluding Brandon Cooks and maybe Nico Collins the Texans don’t have much at wide receiver. Houston does have plenty of cap space as they have 22.3 million dollars so they can afford him. Knowing the Texans they will overpay to acquire N’Keal Harry as I have no idea what this team’s game plan is. I still have to ask, Why is Jack Easterby still a part of the Houston Texans organization?
1. Atlanta Falcons
This just makes all of the sense in the world. Especially as Calvin Ridley will not be playing for the Atlanta Falcons next season due to him gambling on football games. With Ridley’s suspension, the Atlanta Falcons legitimately have nobody at wide receiver for QB Marcus Mariota to throw to. At least the Falcons have TE Kyle Pitts who should be one of the Top Tight End taken in fantasy football. Besides that, the Falcons have nobody at wide receiver that I would have confidence in. The Falcons have 2.5 million dollars in cap space and they could in their rebuild take a chance on Harry to see if he could be a part of their team long-term. Harry is 24 years old so it would not hurt.
Now the question is: Do I believe the Patriots will trade N’Keal Harry?
I will make this simple. It is either trade him for something or cut him for nothing at this point. It's clear N’Keal Harry is not going to be here long term. I honestly would not be surprised if the Patriots just trade him for just upgrading a draft pick one round.
What do I believe Harry’s trade value is?
I think a late-round pick would be worth it to see what Harry could bring. I would give up a 7th-round draft pick for Harry but nothing more. I could see a team outbid for Harry with a 6th-round pick but I don't think it would be worth it when looking at Harry’s cap hit. I honestly will not be shocked if Harry gets cut if the Patriots can't find a trade at the end of the draft.