The New England Patriots, on Thursday (May 9), held an introductory press conference for wide receiver N’Keal Harry, whom they picked in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Patriots were so impressed with Harry that they used the No. 32 pick to select him out of Arizona State. This marked the first time that the Patriots utilized a first-round selection to take in a wide receiver in head coach Bill Belichick’s 19-year tenure with the team.
During the press conference, Harry received a warning from reporters that the 41-year-old Brady sometimes could be hard on his receivers.
Harry said it would work for him and looks forward to it, adding "I want to be coached hard,” according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. “I’m the type of player that wants to get better. I want to get coached hard, so I’m looking forward to that,” the 21-year-old Harry said. Volin added that Harry has yet to meet and talk to Brady personally. Brady, for his part, welcomed him on his social media account, tweeting “Glad to have you N’Keal. Big things ahead, excited to work with you.”
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, the Patriots are expected to sign Harry to a four-year contract worth around $10.1 million, with a projected signing bonus of $5.36 million. Harry plans to give some to the place where he came from, the Caribbean island of St.
Vincent. Harry was the first player from St. Vincent to be drafted in the NFL.
Patriots owner impressed with Harry
According to Patriots team owner Robert Kraft, he was impressed with Harry’s background and his college stint with the Sun Devils. "I know good things are going to come from Harry,” said Kraft, adding that his first grandson was named Harry.
During this three-year stint at Arizona State, Harry tallied 213 receptions for 2,889 yards and 22 touchdowns. For his part, Harry said being drafted by the Patriots “means the world to me,” adding that New England is a great organization. “I feel like I couldn’t have been put in a better situation,” said Harry, adding that he’s excited to learn from the best of the best.
Patriots reunited with former tight end
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Patriots are expected to sign veteran tight end Ben Watson, who cut short his retirement to re-join the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2004 draft. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Watson will sign a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Patriots. Watson played 16 games last season with the New Orleans Saints, recording 35 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns, before announcing his retirement. Watson played six years for the Patriots, catching 167 passes for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns in 71 games, and added 19 catches for 195 yards and three scores in nine playoff games. He also won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2005.