Should the Packers trade for wide receiver N’Keal Harry?
The Green Bay Packers have improved at wide receiver this offseason by drafting Amari Rodgers in the third round, and they also get Devin Funchess back after he opted out last year.
But does that mean they should be done at the wide receiver position?
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has shown in recent years that he’s willing to strengthen the roster in any way possible, from free agency, to trading up in the draft, to signing players midseason.
One thing we haven’t seen much of is trading for a player.
Should the Packers trade for N’Keal Harry?
New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry could be available in a trade. According to ESPN, Harry’s agent has put in a formal request to the Patriots to trade Harry.
Harry was a first-round pick by the Patriots only two years ago, but he’s yet to make the impact New England would’ve hoped. He has just 45 catches for 414 yards and four touchdowns.
It would seem that by requesting a trade, Harry is backing himself to reach his potential in another offense. Could a trade make sense for the Packers?
It all depends. The Patriots are unlikely to give up on a first-round pick for nothing. It would have to make sense for them to trade Harry. But if they are willing to accept a late-round pick, it could work for both sides. For the Patriots, they’d be ensuring Harry doesn’t play for an AFC team.
The Packers, meanwhile, would be trading for Harry based on his potential.
Before the 2019 draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, writing that Harry’s “competitiveness and ability to come down with the ball could make him a productive member of wide receiver trio in short order”.
However, there are also reasons against trading for Harry.
In college, he was excellent at making contested catches, but he’s struggled to gain separation in his two seasons in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, Harry has only been open on 25.5 percent of his targets against single coverage, which ranks 99th out of 100 qualifiers.
That’s concerning. Aaron Rodgers’ accuracy would create some opportunities for Harry to make contested catches, but if he struggles to get open regularly, it’s likely Green Bay would have better options at receiver already on the roster.
What do you think? Should the Packers trade for Harry?