To some degree, N’Keal Harry has been one of the darlings of Patriots training camp this summer.
The former first-round wide receiver’s solid work and playmaking on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium has been accurately noted by media and attending fans alike.
Shortly after his agent issued a public trade request that seemingly put some of the onus on the team for his client’s disappointing first two NFL seasons, Harry has done and said the right things as his lackluster career continues in Foxborough.
The problem, though, is that Harry’s production didn’t make the transition from the practice field to game action when the Patriots took on Washington in the preseason opener last Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
Against The Football Team, Harry played 36 offensive snaps, most among non-offensive linemen for New England. He started the game and played well into the second half. But all that playing time created just one target, a catch for 4 yards.
There is no question that Harry is at a career crossroads. His future in New England is in doubt. His NFL career scuffling.
But there is also an opportunity for the former Arizona State star after an offseason spent trying to improve his quickness and less focused on playing as a big receiver. The Patriots depth chart at receiver, led by veteran offseason free agent addition Nelson Agholor, is very much a work in progress. If Harry can tap into any of his potential that made him the second wide receiver taken in the impressive 2019 draft class – the first wide receiver Bill Belichick had taken in the first round in his two decades in New England – the third-year player could find himself very much in the offensive mix.
To do that, Harry will need to prove his marginal improvement on the practice field can translate to the game field. He’ll get another chance to do that on Thursday night in Philadelphia when the Patriots hit the turf for their second preseason game of the summer against the Eagles.
Harry is certainly one of the more intriguing players to focus on in Thursday night’s preseason game action, but he’s far from the only guy worth a little extra attention. Here’s a look at some of the other Patriots to keep an eye on in the battle with the Eagles:
TE Devin Asiasi – New England’s depth at tight end is non-existent right now. Big-money offseason additions Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith are sidelined to injury. Veteran Matt LaCosse got banged up in joint practice work in Philly. That leaves a huge opportunity for the second-year player Asiasi, who himself missed the early part of training camp to COVID. Asiasi should get plenty of chances to show his athletic playmaking ability against the Eagles and maybe prove he’s worthy of consideration of at least a complementary role even when Henry and Smith are back in the mix.
WR Nelson Agholor – Based on his paycheck, the veteran is supposed to be New England’s clear-cut No. 1 WR. He earned that shot thanks to a big year with the Raiders in which he averaged nearly 19 yards per reception.
But Agholor has never shown that he can be The Man for an offense. After missing the first preseason game to an unknown injury, the veteran could make his summer debut against the team that drafted him in the first round.
Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Patriots are going to need Agholor to be a consistent deep threat and hope the inconsistent hands that have dogged his career aren’t an ongoing issue.
DB Jalen Mills – Another former Eagle, Mills made the jump from corner to versatile safety in Philly because he just couldn’t succeed consistently on the outside. Over the last couple weeks the Patriots have used Mills in that very spot and the results have not been good. Given the lack of depth at cornerback with Stephon Gilmore on PUP and in the midst of what many are calling a contract “hold-in,” Mills is going to be a guy to watch in the back end. Is he a fatal flaw? Is he simply not up to the cornerback job? He’ll get another chance to prove his worth against a Philly passing attack that’s not exactly elite.
K Quinn Nordin – The undrafted rookie kicker is making a clear run at trying to unseat veteran Nick Folk. With Folk missing time to an unknown injury, Nordin has taken advantage in practice and last week’s game action when he hit field goals against Washington of 35, 40 and 50 yards. But he also missed a PAT. Nordin gets another chance to prove he has the consistency to go along with a strong leg as he tries to extend New England’s yearly streak of seeing an undrafted rookie make the final roster.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson – Even before his late 91-yard touchdown run against Washington, the rookie running back had put in an impressive pro debut. Though there are the usual questions about his readiness in the passing game, Stevenson has already shown the quickness to go along with his obvious size that might allow him to contribute as a ball carrier right out of the gates. He’ll be looking to build on his solid summer momentum against the Eagles and it’s always fun to watch a young running back work in the preseason anyway.
QBs Cam Newton and Mac Jones – Oh, did you think we’d forget about the quarterback competition? How could we? From first snap to if/when the duo passes the playing time on to journeyman backup Brian Hoyer, the quarterbacks will garner the most attention in Patriot Nation. Does Newton get more playing time? Who gets the start? Can either guy steal the show and run away with the job? Watch and ye’ shall see!
