What a difference two years can make.
In late April 2019, the New England Patriots were hoping to infuse their offense with talent via the draft.
Doing this would give the team options opposite of grizzled veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman, and would extend the franchise’s window to win Super Bowls with Tom Brady.
To that end, they invested the No. 32 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State.
Couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity @Patriots. Let’s get to work!🔥 pic.twitter.com/dhyn7AFqWz
— Keal (@NkealHarry15) April 26, 2019
Harry certainly looked every bit the part of a playmaking NFL stud.
He’s 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and was supposed to make life easier for his quarterbacks.
It has not quite panned out that way in New England, and recent reports indicate that the former Sun Devils wide receiver is looking to get a fresh start by being traded to another team.
Per his agent N'Keal Harry has formally requested a trade from the #Patriots #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/BhTIEMM8Ll
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 6, 2021
Here are three franchises that should engage New England in a trade for Harry.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
To be fair, it’s not like the Pittsburgh Steelers absolutely need any more talent on the outside.
They re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason, and are likely expecting big things from second-year wideout Chase Claypool.
Diontae Johnson is also a very reliable player, and James Washington has shown that he can play in the NFL for a long time as well.
Adding a player like Harry to an already stacked group of players would seem more like a luxury than a need, but it would certainly be a fun landing spot for him.
Perhaps no team in the NFL develops wide receivers better than Pittsburgh does.
If they can unlock Harry’s physical talents at a greatly reduced price, it might make them a darkhorse candidate to come out of the AFC.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the brightest futures in the NFL, thanks to their home run draft selection of quarterback Justin Herbert.
He profiles as the type of player who will be able to make others around him better, which is one of the highest compliments a young signal-caller can receive.
As exciting as they were last year, the Chargers lost a little bit of talent on offense.
Longtime tight end Hunter Henry departed for the Patriots in free agency, and Keenan Allen is the only proven wide receiver on the roster.
Mike Williams is in a contract year, and will be motivated to have a big season, but he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.
Harry isn’t yet due for a contract extension, but he has to realize that his NFL future is not shining as brightly as it did on draft night.
Pairing him with Herbert, and a motivated Williams could be just the jumpstart the player and the team needs.
1. Detroit Lions
There’s no question that the Detroit Lions are in rebuilding mode after their trade of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford in February.
That’s not to say Jared Goff can’t have a few notable moments with his new team, but the Lions have stripped the cupboard of weapons.
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay was not brought back in free agency, leaving tight end T.J. Hockenson as arguably the franchise’s most proven pass-catcher.
As it stands right now, Detroit will be relying on journeyman players like Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, and Geronimo Allison to carry their air attack.
Since Harry’s value is pretty low right now, the Lions would be well served parting ways with a mid-to-late-round draft pick to see if he can turn his career around.
They have nothing to lose.
NEXT: Was Jimmy Garoppolo Overrated In New England?