Arizona State coach Herm Edwards wants you to know a few things about wide receiver N’Keal Harry.
One, he’s a big, physical receiver who reminds Edwards of Dez Bryant. Two, Harry’s emotion can sometimes get the best of him. (“But I’d rather have a guy who cares like he does instead of someone who doesn’t,” Edwards quickly adds.) And three, he believes the former Sun Devil pass catcher would be a nice fit for a team like the Patriots that is in need of receiver depth.
“I think he would really get enmeshed in Bill’s program, and how those coaches coach and practice and play,” Edwards told BostonSportsJournal.com Wednesday morning. “(New England isn’t) an easy place to play for a lot of guys, but I think he could fit there. Our model here is a pro style-model. We practice that way, coach and play that way. So he would be able to understand how they do things in New England.”
Harry, a 6-foot-2, 228-pounder out of Arizona State, finished his college career with 213 catches for 2,889 yards and 22 touchdowns in three years with the Sun Devils. He’s considered by many to be a first-round talent who doesn’t necessarily have top-end speed, but has more than enough traits to make him an excellent Day One pick for any team in need of receiver help like the Patriots.
“Harry is a big, physical wideout with strong hands and run-after-the-catch talent,” said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “He isn't sudden in his release, but he powers through press coverage and he's adept at using his big frame to wall off defenders underneath and down the field. He wins a lot of 50/50 balls and has a special ability to adjust down the field.
“After the catch, he has the strength to break tackles and is surprisingly elusive. He has punt-return value despite lacking elite top speed. Overall, Harry isn't a burner, but his size/physicality and ball skills will make him a fantastic option on third down and inside the red zone.”
That physicality is Harry’s calling card.
?It's #BurLesson Time!?@nateburleson breaks down why @ASUFootball WR @NkealHarry15 will be a monster in the league. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jIEW50mzZO
— GMFB (@gmfb) March 29, 2019