Saints: Trading for N’Keal Harry makes sense on number of levels

It’s getting ugly in Foxborough between the New England Patriots and wideout N’Keal Harry. Are the New Orleans Saints ready to take advantage?

Harry, a 2019 first-round receiver, has publicly demanded a trade from the Patriots and while Bill Belichick won’t easily let him have his way, you figure the disgruntled wideout will eventually depart from New England.

The Saints need to be ready for when that happens.

One of the major criticisms of the last few New Orleans rosters has been the perceived lack of wide receiver depth behind star Michael Thomas. As a result, teams have doubled Thomas in coverage and forced the Saints to throw to their other playmakers.

Thomas sat out most of last season with an ankle injury, yet it didn’t seem to bother the Saints all that much as they cruised to another playoff season.

Still, losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency and having to count on Tre’Quan Smith’s further development as well as the continued emergences of Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway means the New Orleans offense will have more uncertainties than certainties at wide receiver outside of the All-Pro Thomas.

That’s where N’Keal Harry comes in.

WR N’Keal Harry seems like an ideal Saints trade target

Harry hasn’t lived up to his first-round status while in New England, racking up just 414 yards receiving in two seasons along with four touchdowns. Of course, the Patriots had a Covid-stricken Cam Newton quarterbacking the team last season and a one foot out the door Tom Brady doing so in 2019. Not to mention, Bill Belichick isn’t an offensive guru. Altogether? Not exactly a receiver’s dream.

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Offense reigns supreme in the Big Easy, though. With Sean Payton calling plays and the strong-armed Jameis Winston throwing the football, the Saints’ situation seems ideal for a playmaker like Harry.

At 6’4 and 225 pounds, Harry would represent another big, physical target for the offense. And we all know how much the NFC South likes large pass-catchers. The former first-rounder would fit right in from that standpoint!

Perhaps most important of all, Harry wouldn’t come too expensive, as he’s on a rookie deal and hasn’t produced to the level of his draft pedigree.

N’Keal Harry’s trade request feels like perfect timing for a Saints team that could use the depth at the position, as well as give Jameis Winston another big body to target down the field. We’d rather see him throw the football to the players in our uniform, right?

At the very least, this avenue should be explored.