Jets 2019 NFL Draft Profile: WR N’Keal Harry

In this 2019 NFL Draft profile, we look at the strengths and weaknesses of wide receiver N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State.

The 2019 wide receiver class isn’t loaded with premier talent which might have people overlooking some of the top prospects. But make no mistake, N’Keal Harry is a hard player to overlook once you see him on a football field.

Harry has an intimidating presence standing at 6’3″ and weighing in at 216 pounds but his measurables don’t tell the entire story. The Arizona State product is built like an absolute tank with more muscle than a bodybuilding convention.

The 21-year-old totaled nearly 3,000 receiving yards during his three seasons with the Sun Devils and hauled in over 200 receptions. While his numbers dropped slightly in 2018, Harry still put together back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns solidifying himself as one of the top receivers in the country.

Harry should hear his name called early come the 2019 NFL Draft, but let’s first take a look at his strengths and weaknesses as a player.

STRENGTHS

If you’re looking for a monster of a receiver who can catch essentially any ball thrown his way then look no further than N’Keal Harry. Harry has likely the largest catch radius out of any receiver in this class as he uses his massive frame to box out defensive backs and make contested catches.

The former Sun Devil has flashed his incredible hands throughout his college career with countless one-handed grabs and highlight reel receptions. While he’s already quite large, he plays even larger using his brute strength to overpower cornerbacks in his routes.

Although he’s not the fastest, Harry has pretty quick feet and is surprisingly very good after the catch. He moves like a speeding train barreling over would-be tacklers in his path and even has the agility and elusiveness to evade defenders from time-to-time.

Harry has the upside of a No. 1 receiver with the potential to step in and be a starting receiver on the outside from day one. His size and build make him a perfect fit as an X-receiver along the boundary with the ability to be an excellent red zone threat as well as a vertical threat simply due to his catch radius.

WEAKNESSES

There is no player in this draft class who will have more to gain/lose from the NFL Combine. Harry looks dominant on tape and has elite traits that scouts covet, but his athletic profile is a concern for many.

Harry doesn’t possess breakaway speed and oftentimes has trouble separating. His insane catch radius allowed him to physically overpower defenders in college but he could struggle to do the same against some of the better corners in the NFL. Simply put, he needs to find a way to separate.

His route running can be sharp at times but his lack of overall athleticism limits his ability to release off the line of scrimmage. On top of that, Harry has been called out for taking plays off from time to time, not always playing like the monster that he is. Harry can be a fierce blocker but doesn’t always look like he’s giving 100% either.

NEW YORK JETS PREDICTION

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The Jets are unlikely to take a player like Harry, but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. If the team trades down a few picks, they are in the market for a wide receiver, and Harry could be a great addition to Gang Green’s receiving core.

Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa are both solid receiving options who each compliment each other’s game nicely, but neither is a true No. 1 receiver option. While Harry will still need some development to get to that point, the potential and elite traits are there.

The NFL Combine will be crucial for Harry as he looks to prove that his athleticism is on par with his draft classmates. If he can run a sub-4.50 40-yard dash time, Harry could solidify himself as a top 15 talent.

If he chooses not to run the 40-yard dash or his time is closer to 4.60, expect Harry to fall to the bottom of the first round and perhaps to Day 2 of the draft altogether.