The New England Patriots came into the 2022 offseason with a few clear needs. One of them was upgrading at the wide receiver spot, providing Mac Jones the weapons needed for him to take that next step in his development. A trade for N’Keal Harry has been rumored for quite some time and the Dallas Cowboys might be a potential landing spot.
Many predicted that the Patriots could use their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to address that need at wide receiver, but they didn’t wait that long. In early April, the Patriots acquired DeVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins, landing that big-bodied, potential No. 1 receiver to their roster.
Parker should slide right into the top of their depth chart with Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor behind him. So, what does that mean for 2019 first-round pick, N’Keal Harry’s future with the team?
Harry’s days with the Patriots could likely be numbered. He has struggled to break into the lineup consistently in his three seasons with the team and the acquisition of Parker isn’t going to make it any easier. Parker is what the Patriots envisioned Harry hopefully turning into, but that hasn’t occurred.
Last year during the summer, Harry’s agent Jamal Tooson requested a trade for his client. While he remained with the Patriots for the duration of the 2021 season, he will once again be the subject of trade rumors.
With the NFL Draft just a day away, Harry could get that trade request he has been waiting nearly a year for. There are plenty of teams looking for help at the wide receiver position and Harry’s size, strength and draft pedigree could make him an attractive option.
One team that should be calling the Patriots about a potential deal is the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas lost two of their top four wide receivers from 2021. Amari Cooper was a cap casualty and was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Cedrick Wilson Jr. left in free agency, signing with the Miami Dolphins.
The team did re-sign Michael Gallup, but he could be sidelined at the start of the season as he recovers from a knee injury suffered in a Week 17 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. James Washington was also signed and the team has CeeDee Lamb atop the depth chart.
Given the fact that Dallas used three wide receivers on over two-thirds of their plays last season, they could use some more help at the position. Offering one or two of their fifth-round draft picks that they have in the 2022 NFL Draft could get a deal done with New England.
The Cowboys would acquire Harry, while the Patriots would get picks No. 167 and 178 in exchange for him. Harry would get a change of scenery and have a clearer path to playing time in Dallas than he would in New England. The Patriots would stockpile more draft capital to fill out depth on the roster.
