Report: Patriots To Make Surprising Wide Receiver Cut

The New England Patriots will probably make a wide receiver cut heading into the upcoming 2021 NFL season.

Two years ago, the Patriots selected N’Keal Harry in the 2019 NFL Draft. Head coach Bill Belichick decided to bring Harry in to add more depth to the receiving unit. Yes, the Patriots used their first-round pick on Harry and he became the fourth pass-catcher to come off the board.

It’s been two years now and the third-year wide receiver may not make the active roster in September.

The Patriots to make a receiver cut in the offseason

Mike Reiss from ESPN believes that Harry may end up on the chopping board after all the struggles he had in the past period. New England did an incredible job in the offseason. Belichick upgraded the receiving unit and added Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.

Where does this leave Harry?

The former first-rounder may be left without a spot on the roster.

Reiss said that Gunner Olszewski or Isaiah Zuber may get more benefits than Harry because they have a unique skillset. NFL analysts say that Harry doesn’t possess the same skillset.

“Calling a third-year player a veteran might be questionable, but Harry not only has a crowded depth chart ahead of him in Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne, but also competition for the No. 4 or 5 role from others who seem to provide more value on special teams (such as Gunner Olszewski as a punt returner) or have a standout trait (such as Isaiah Zuber’s speed),” Reiss wrote. “Harry’s contract might help him stick around, as the Patriots would take a $2 million cap hit for letting him go. That could ultimately buy the 2019 first-round pick a bit more time to see if things turn around.”

Harry will get base salaries of $1.4 million this season and $1.9 million in the upcoming season. Belichick may not be eager to cut him.

The 23-year-old made just 45 catches for 414 yards in his first two seasons with the Patriots. The Patriots don’t really have much choice at the moment.

Harry will get one more chance to prove himself as a strong contributor later this month. Patriots will enter training camp and that’s the only chance Harry has right now.