After the New England Patriots added another weapon on offense with the selection of wide receiver N’Keale Harry in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, veteran quarterback Tom Brady couldn't hide his excitement to work with the No. 32 overall pick. This was the first time in 19 years under head coach Bill Belichick that the Patriots selected a wide receiver in the first round. It was widely anticipated that the Patriots would select a quarterback or a tight end in the opening round.
Hours before, many were wondering how Brady would react to the Patriots’ draft move.
However, Brady sounded happy with the Patriots’ decision to draft Harry, based on his latest tweet. The 41-year-old Brady tweeted early Friday (April 26) to welcome Harry, saying “Glad to have you N’Keal. Big things ahead, excited to work with you.” With Harry’s selection, the Patriots addressed one of their immediate needs. Currently, the Patriots have a thin wide receiving corps, including Julian Edelman, Bruce Ellington, Phillip Dorsett, Demaryius Thomas, Maurice Harris, Damoun Patterson, Matthew Slater, and Braxton Berrios.
The Patriots decided to pick Harry over other highly touted wide receivers such as D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown of Mississippi, Parris Campbell of Ohio State, and Deebo Samuel of South Carolina.
Metcalf, Brown, Campbell, and Samuel were still available when the Patriots made the No. 32 selection. Harry was the second wide receiver taken in the first round, behind Marquise Brown of Oklahoma.
Brady has several reasons to be happy with Harry
Patriots director of player personnel, Nick Caserio, heaped praises on Harry during his draft press conference.
According to Caserio, the team made a thorough evaluation of all available talents before deciding to take in Harry. The Patriots also followed that process last season, resulting in the selection of running back Sony Michel in the first round. The move paid dividends as Michel emerged as a key player for the Patriots, especially in Super Bowl LIII, where he scored the game’s lone touchdown.
Caserio described Harry as a productive and smart wide receiver, based on his three-year stint with Arizona State. Also, Caserio said Harry is a big, strong receiver with good hands, adding that he’s good with the ball after the catch. During his stay with the Sun Devils, Harry caught 213 passes for 2,889 yards and 22 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Harry also ran 23 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns and returned 14 punts for 165 yards and a score.
Harry raring to receive passes from Brady
During his introductory conference call, Harry said he’s excited to catch passes from Brady in the upcoming season. “I’m extremely excited,” said Harry, adding “I’m just ecstatic to come in, work hard, constantly improve and just live up to the expectations.” Harry said he already got the feel of the New England's culture during his official pre-draft visit to Gillette Stadium earlier this month.
