Typically, the New England Patriots have the ability to identify talented players that will do well for them but might falter elsewhere.
That approach has helped them become a consistent contender for over two decades and win six Super Bowls.
They were at it again when Mac Jones was available when it was their turn to select in round one of the 2021 draft.
He was another gem that head coach Bill Belichick unearthed after he led the Patriots to ten wins and a postseason berth.
But while the Patriots have their draft day hits, they also have their misses like wide receiver N’Keal Harry.
He only had 598 yards in three seasons with the Patriots which led to his transfer to the Chicago Bears.
In return, the Patriots will receive a seventh-round selection in the 2024 draft.
It’s hard to fault New England for making him the 32nd overall pick in 2019 because he was coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at Arizona State.
Yet if they did their homework very well, they could have gotten a better option with that pick.
WRs picked after N'Keal Harry (32nd overall) in 2019 NFL draft 🤯
-Deebo Samuel (36)
-A.J. Brown (51)
-Mecole Hardman (56)
-DK Metcalf (64)
-Diontae Johnson (66)
-Terry McLaurin (76)
-Hunter Renfrow (149) pic.twitter.com/ulNNrJwVxU— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) July 12, 2022
What Could Have Been For The Patriots
B/R Gridiron shared a list of the wide receivers who were drafted after Harry.
New England could have had Deebo Samuel, who earned his first All-Pro selection last season, and A.J. Brown, who became a Pro Bowler with the Tennessee Titans before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
There’s also DK Metcalf, who went to the Seattle Seahawks, and Diontae Johnson, who has been steady for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Finally, Terry McLaurin and Hunter Renfrow both earned lucrative contract extensions this offseason.
The Patriots could have any of these wideouts on their roster which could have helped their chances to win.
Instead, their projected starting wide receivers of DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne isn’t as terrifying for opposing defenses.
NEXT: Patriots Insider Explains Why N'Keal Harry Didn't Work Out