The New England Patriots did something they had not done in over two decades late last month, using a first-round draft pick on a wide receiver.
The lucky wide out was Arizona State's N'Keal Harry, who was chosen by the Patriots with the 32nd overall pick late last month and became the first receiver since Terry Glenn all the way back in 1996 to be drafted in the first round by New England.
Harry is coming off of a terrific junior campaign in which he hauled in 73 receptions for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns and has forged some lofty comparisons from scouts, with some likening him to guys like Josh Gordon, Dez Bryant, and Anquan Boldin.
The 21-year-old is flattered by the comparisons but understands that he has a long way to go in order to live up to them.
“It's definitely a blessing being compared to those type of players, but I still have to prove myself,” said Harry, according to Zack Cox of NESN. “I haven't done anything in the NFL yet, so it's my job to put in the work and perform and to live up to the expectations.”
Harry also had a big year during his sophomore season, catching 82 passes for 1,142 yards and eight scores.
With great size at 6-foot-4 and around 215 pounds, Harry could represent a great over-the-middle and red-zone threat for a Patriots team that has seen its receiving corps take a significant hit this offseason.
New England has lost tight end Rob Gronkowski to retirement and wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Chris Hogan to free agency. Plus, fellow wide out Josh Gordon is serving an indefinite suspension.
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