Green Bay Packers Named as Trade Fit for N’Keal Harry by NFL.com

When it comes to the wide receiver position, the Green Bay Packers seem pretty well set. They, of course, have Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Amari Rodgers, along with potentially Devin Funchess and a plethora of other pass-catching options at tight end and running back.

However, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes that Green Bay can still upgrade the position and that they should do so by trading for disgruntled New England Patriot N’Keal Harry:

"“The Packers have been searching for a consistent WR2 to place opposite Davante Adams for years. Although Harry has struggled in New England as a part-time starter, he possesses the size and running skills to shine in an offense that features some catch-and-run elements. Aaron Rodgers’ status remains in question, but if he returns as the QB1, the MVP might be able to sprinkle some magic dust on Harry to help him re-discover his game as a rugged playmaker on the perimeter.”"

Harry was a first-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2019 out of Arizona State but has failed to live up to his draft status here in the NFL. As a result, within the last week, it has been reported that Harry has demanded a trade.

Over his first two seasons, Harry has appeared in 21 games, including 14 starts, and been targeted 81 times, hauling in just 55.6 percent of those targets at 9.2 yards per catch and with four touchdowns–not at all the production one would expect from a former 32nd overall pick.

From the Green Bay Packers’ perspective, there is some intrigue with Harry–especially in the Matt LaFleur system. He’s capable of playing both out wide and in the slot, with roughly a 60/40 split during his first two seasons, which, as we all know, is an important aspect of the LaFleur offense.

Harry is also well known for his run-blocking ability, once again, something that LaFleur asks of his receivers. And although perhaps the biggest knock on his game coming out of college was his inability to create consistent separation, with LaFleur’s ability to scheme his players open, he would likely be able to negate some of that concern.

The going rate for Harry appears to be a late Day 3 pick, according to some rumors, but even if that’s the case, this is a move that doesn’t make much sense for the Green Bay Packers.

For starters, where would Harry even fit into this offense? Additionally, as Brooks notes in the article, not only his his lack of production concerning, but the film is as well:

"“The disappointment continues when studying film of Harry. He struggles against press coverage and lacks the burst to run away from defenders down the field. The lack of separation makes it hard to feature the young receiver as a WR1.”"

When it comes to who I would rather have, Lazard or Harry, give me Lazard every day of the week. Harry doesn’t have the downfield ability to compete with Valdes-Scantling for playing time, and he doesn’t have the skill-set to fill what will end up being Rodgers’ role as the slot/gadget receiver in this offense.

If Funchess can regain some of his prior form, he is clearly the more talented receiver, and even if the Packers decided to trade for Harry and keep him on the roster, he brings almost no value — or at least he hasn’t up to this point — as a special teams player with only 21 career snaps, according to PFF ($$).

Add in Aaron Jones as a pass-catching option and all of the Packer tight ends, and I just don’t see there being much playing time for Harry–especially if his career continues on its current trajectory, which it may, as there is no guarantee that a change of scenery turns things around for him. In today’s NFL, there is just little value in keeping a fifth or sixth receiver on the roster who won’t see much of the field and won’t contribute on special teams.

This is just another one of those offseason topics that many love to discuss because everyone loves the idea of giving Aaron Rodgers another weapon to work with — he has plenty, by the way — but as is often the case, realistically, this makes little sense for the Green Bay Packers.