Tedy Bruschi Has Bold Theory On Why Patriots Drafted N’Keal Harry

The New England Patriots drafted N’Keal Harry, and he is the very first receiver selected by the team in the first round in the Bill Belichick era. The Patriots needed a receiver after Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement. However, it’s still strange that the team brought in a big bodied outside receiver in the very first round.

Former Patriots linebacker and current ESPN NFL analyst Tedy Bruschi talked to Mike Rice about his theory regarding this draft.

“They get him last year, put a 6-3, 225-pound target out there and see what a great piece it was for them, how great it was for Tom Brady,” Bruschi told Reiss. “Maybe that changed the perception of what they might need. I think Bill’s always gone with trends and where the league is going. To have a big wide receiver, for possibly shots down the field off play-action; if they decide they still want to be a power-running team, this is a guy that can do it for you.”

This theory makes perfect sense. Last year, Harry caught 73 passes for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns.

“A very competitive player,” Harry’s former ASU head coach Herm Edwards told WEEI’s Mutt and Callahan. “He reminds me a lot, and I don’t like to get into comparing guys, but if you look at his height, his size and probably his speed, similar to Dez Bryant when you look at him. Same body build, the ability to go up and really fight for the football. He wins 90 percent of the contested balls. Not afraid to go over the middle. Has really good running skills when he gets the ball in his hands. You can see that on some tape.

“He can play inside and outside, we moved him around a little bit. He didn’t play inside a whole lot the year prior, and I kind of moved him around. I wanted to get the ball inside to get some matchups. He’s a competitor. I am talking every day. He fits the mold. Every day is a work day for him. He takes the field trying to get better. Doesn’t like losing anything. He’s built that way. He’s an emotional guy. He gets emotional at times, but I think that is just maturity. You got yourself a good football player. There’s no doubt about that.”