N’Keal Harry didn’t have the rookie season he expected in 2019.
The first-round pick dealt with injuries to start the year and only played in seven games — recording 12 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He’s the only receiver to get drafted by Bill Belichick in the first round and came out of Arizona State with an insane ability to high point the football and make big plays.
At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Harry is still lacking the acceleration and footwork to separate himself in the league. NFL Media’s Mike Giardi said on Monday that Harry is working with Rischad Whitfield in Houston to improve his footwork.
“Whitfield feels like (Harry) plays too slow,” Giardi said. “He sinks his hips, he gets low to the ground and that puts him in quicksand and slows him down. So, what they’re trying to do is work on functional mobility, maybe less time in the weight room. Trying to get him better off a release, better off the top of the route. And of course, be quicker.
“… With his skill and ability to catch the football, he should be a lot better in Year 2.”
What will the #Patriots offense look like? And what has N'Keal Harry been up to and why? @nflnetwork @NFLMedia pic.twitter.com/A746unrYcP
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) May 25, 2020
The Patriots receiver corps currently consists of Julian Edelman, Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers and Marqise Lee. The group is far from elite and Harry will be expected to rise up and have a breakout sophomore season.
Working on his footwork is a great start and staying healthy will be the next step to having that breakout season.
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