FOXBOROUGH — We’re on the scene for the first night of the 2019 NFL draft. Keep it here for all the updates throughout the weekend. On Thursday, the Patriots hold one first-round selections — No. 32. So what are they going to do? We’ll find out in the next few hours.
11:54 p.m.: N'Keal Harry to the Patriots at No. 32. Wrote about him here.
It's the first time the Patriots have ever drafted a receiver in the first round under Bill Belichick.
More on Harry, and Bedard's analysis:
From BobMcGinnFootball.com, which had him rated after D.K. Metcalf.
2. N’KEAL HARRY, Arizona State (6-2 ½, 226, 4.53, 1-2): Junior from Chandler, Ariz. “He ran a lot better than he played,” one scout said. “He’s got really good hands. He has a chance to be a No. 1 (WR). He’s not one to take the top off, and that’s what all the coaches want. They want a speed guy to run as deep as you can. He goes over the middle and runs slants. He’ll be a good player.” Worked out well at the combine, equaling Metcalf’s 27 reps on the bench. “He’s a good possession receiver,” said another scout. “He’ll be one of those 60 catch a year guys. Not a big red-zone threat. Not a big-time difference-maker. You’re still going to be looking for better.” Finished with 213 receptions for 2,889 (13.6) and 22 TDs. “I compared him to Mike Evans,” a third scout said. “Really a good athlete. Terrific high-school basketball player. He does have a weight problem.” Wonderlic of 24.
- Michael Lombardi, a former Patriots executive and NFL Network analyst, thinks Harry’s abilities to run a variety of routes makes him a superior prospect. On his podcast The GM Shuffle, Lombardi called Metcalf a “three-route runner.”
“To me (N’Keal Harry is) a legitimate receiver. That guy can play anywhere on the field … and when the ball’s in his hands, he’s a beast,” Lombardi said. “He’s a freakin’ beast.”
ProFootballFocus.com had Harry ranked eight among receivers. "Harry has been one of the toughest receivers to bring down in college football, racking up 38 broken tackles in his three seasons."
BEDARD'S INSTANT REACTION: Really like the pick. Figured there would be more of a run on receivers, or there would be more big bodies available for the Patriots, but there weren't. ... The film on Harry is really good. He reminds of a young Dez Bryant. Harry isn't quite as dynamic down the field, but Harry is better on shorter routes and yards after the catch. Tough to tackle on screens and short passes. Has a variety of moves and never quits on a play. ... Runs a full route tree. ... Excellent with the ball in the air down the field. Hands are very strong. Catches a variety of balls and his catch radius is good. ... A Wonderlic of 24 is good for the Patriots at the position (Deion Branch was 26). Very important he can get the offense. ... In the Patriots' offense, he's an X boundary receiver and in the mix with Josh Gordon and Demaryius Thomas. ... Can do some of the things Cordarrelle Patterson did but with much bigger upside as a receiver. ... Some people will make the argument that Harry was more of a second-round talent, but it doesn't really matter at the end of the first. Teams have about 18 players with first-round grades. Everyone else is in a big group. And there was a lot of buzz that Arizona would take him with the first pick of the second round.
11:52 p.m.: Patriots are on the clock.
11:43 p.m.: Two picks left...
1. Cardinals — QB Kyler Murray
2. Niners — DE Nick Bosa
3. Jets — DT Quinnen Williams
4. Raiders — DE Clelin Ferrell
5. Buccaneers — LB Devin White
6. Giants — QB Daniel Jones
7. Jaguars — DE Josh Allen
8. Lions — TE T.J. Hockenson
9. Bills — DT Ed Oliver
10. Steelers (from Broncos) — LB Devin Bush
11. Bengals — OT Jonah Williams
12. Packers — DL Rashan Gary
13. Dolphins — DT Christian Wilkins
14. Falcons — OL Chris Lindstrom
15. Redskins — QB Dwayne Haskins
16. Panthers — DE Brian Burns
17. Giants — DT Dexter Lawrence
18. Vikings — C Garrett Bradbury
19. Titans — DL Jeffery Simmons
20. Broncos — TE Noah Fant
21. Packers (from Seahawks — DB Darnell Savage
22. Eagles (from Ravens) — OL Andre Dillard
23. Texans — OL Titus Howard
24. Raiders — RB Josh Jacobs
25. Ravens (from Eagles) — WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
26. Redskins (from Colts) — DE Montez Sweat
27. Raiders — S Johnathan Abram
28. Chargers — DL Jerry Tillery
29. Seahawks — DE L.J. Collier
30. Giants (from Seahawks via the Packers) — CB DeAndre Baker
31. Falcons (from Rams) —
32. Patriots —
11:37 p.m.: Here's what's left...
29. Seahawks —
30. Seahawks (from Packers) —
31. Rams —
32. Patriots —
11:18 p.m.: Mike Mayock takes the one safety left that the Patriots would have taken in the first round in Johnathan Abram. Good good pick there for Oakland. So the Raiders night is probably over -- Ferrell, Jacobs and Abram.
11:06 p.m.: Not wild about Brown to the Ravens, but we'll see. Here's what's remaining:
25. Ravens (from Eagles) — WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
26. Redskins (from Colts) —
27. Raiders —
28. Chargers —
29. Seahawks —
30. Seahawks (from Packers) —
31. Rams —
32. Patriots —
Drew Lock, Will Grier, Deebo Samuel, Irv Smith, JoeJuan Williams, Johnathan Abram all still out there.
10:56 p.m.: Josh Jacobs picked by the Raiders. Nice fit for Oakland -- first RB goes to the Raiders a few days after Marshawn announces his retirement. Eight picks left.
10:54 p.m.: No running backs or wide receivers taken so far...here's the rest of the first round:
23. Texans — OL Titus Howard
24. Raiders —
25. Ravens (from Eagles) —
26. Colts —
27. Raiders —
28. Chargers —
29. Seahawks —
30. Seahawks (from Packers) —
31. Rams —
32. Patriots —
10:32 p.m.:
Things I didn't totally expect to say today: I really like what Bruce Allen and John Elway have done.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) April 26, 2019
.@RashanAGary with the reaction of the draft so far pic.twitter.com/SMweeWLMNd
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) April 26, 2019
Devin Bush will be splitting time between the Pittsburgh Steelers and C + C Music Factory
— Ty Schalter (@tyschalter) April 26, 2019
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) April 26, 2019
Good luck to everyone waiting to hear their name called tonight. Remember, there’s more than just going in the first round!
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 25, 2019
Nice night for a draft. pic.twitter.com/rCNYE3Y0dc
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) April 25, 2019