Patriots Have ‘No Use’ For Veteran WR In 2022

The New England Patriots seem to have everything sorted out. Head coach Bill Belichick made some tiny moves in the offseason and filled the holes on his roster. Several veterans left the team in free agency. What about other veterans? According to NFL analysts, the Patriots should get rid of veteran WR N’Keal Harry.

Yes, we are not even surprised. Harry struggled to fit in Belichick’s scheme. The Patriots selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, hoping to find a strong target for Tom Brady. The former Patriots quarterback didn’t even build a good relationship with Harry. Brady left the Patriots, but Harry’s struggles continued. He sustained several injuries and missed a big chunk of his first three seasons with the Patriots. It’s not like these injuries affected his performance. Harry was also a healthy scratch at one point. Belichick preferred using other players.

Patriots veteran WR to leave the team in free agency

Harry’s situation got really complicated. He requested a trade last summer. His agent was the first to break the news and many thought that the former first-rounder will part ways with the team. It didn’t happen. Harry remained on the Patriots roster for another season. He joined the team in training camp and this trade request disappeared. Sort of.

It’s fair to say that Harry had zero impact in 2021. He did worse than most receivers in the NFL.

What’s next? Henry McKenna from USA Today believes that Belichick and his team have “no use” for the veteran wide receiver at this point.

Harry is just 24. He may be a better fit for another team. He may need time to flourish. However, the Patriots had Cam Newton on the roster and Harry’s struggles were still present. Second-year quarterback Mac Jones has better bond with other receivers.

Belichick traded for DeVante Parker early in the offseason. He will reach the top of the depth chart at his position. Let’s not forget that Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, and Nelson Agholor are here, too. Of course, Agholor is coming off of a bad season, but he did a decent job in minicamp. Tyquan Thornton was Belichick’s pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Tre Nixon and Lil’Jordan Humphrey are expected to make an instant impact as well. In other words, there’s no room for Harry on the 2022 Patriots roster.