Fantasy Upside
It was a lost rookie season for N’Keal Harry, who started the year on the Reserve/PUP list and did not appear in a regular-season game until Week 11. Even after being activated, Harry failed to leave his mark on the season. He only caught 12 of 24 targets and finished with 105 yards and two touchdowns over seven games. A bet on Harry is a bet on a massive sophomore leap, but the opportunity is there for him to do just that. Julian Edelman is declining at 34 years old and dealt with injuries throughout all of last season. Mohamed Sanu was a complete bust after being traded from Atlanta to New England. Cam Newton’s targets are there for the taking, and Harry is the obvious candidate to benefit from that opportunity as a young former first-round pick who the Patriots will want to give more work in his second season.
Fantasy Downside
As outlined above, Harry barely showed anything as a receiver last year with Tom Brady at the helm and now he will have to adjust to a new quarterback in a shortened offseason. There is no guarantee Harry will make a sophomore leap, especially under the unique circumstances the league is currently facing. Members of the Patriots’ pass-catching group also have volume concerns in what should be a run-heavy offense that will not get in many shootouts due to the team’s elite defense. There are reasons to be optimistic about Harry, but his fantasy floor is very low.
2020 Bottom Line
Harry warrants some interest as a late-round flier at the receiver position because he should receive plenty of opportunity to produce as the youngest member of New England’s barren skill position group. However, he will not be recommended as a starter until we see him forming chemistry with Newton.