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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots, the reigning Super Bowl champions, responded to a pressing need by selecting Arizona-wide receiver Keal Harry for the final round of the first round at the 32nd. rank.
Quarterback Tom Brady should be happy because this is the first time the Patriots have selected a receiver in the first round since Terry Glenn's choice in 1996.
Harry, who measures 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, is a physical target that, according to the player's personal manager, Nick Caserio, has demonstrated his skill in making disputed catch. Caserio added that the Patriots had the opportunity to trade the 32nd choice, but thought the best option was to touch Harry, 21, calling him "a big strong receiver." [with] good hands [and] well with the ball after taking. "
Asked to describe his style of play, Harry told Patriots reporters Thursday night, "I play with a lot of passion, and every time this ball is in the air, I sacrifice anything to pick it up."
Harry joins Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman, five-year veteran Phillip Dorsett and newly recruited veteran Demaryius Thomas at the top of the receivers depth chart. His arrival could help ease the shock of Rob Gronkowski's retirement, with Gronkowski being a target Brady often supported against tight coverage.
Harry has played 37 career games in three seasons at Arizona State, totaling 213 receptions for 2,889 yards and 22 touchdowns. He visited the Patriots' facilities before the project, spending time with Bill Belichick.
"I think a lot of people consider him a tense person, but he was very relatable, we were there smiling, we were making jokes, so I have a great atmosphere from him," he said. he declared.
Harry said that Thursday night was special, watching the draft with about 50 to 60 family members and friends in Scottsdale. His family is from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a small Caribbean island. He grew up in Arizona with his grandmother and aunt and said that he believed that he would not pass in front of his hometown, the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the 33rd pick in all.
That may have contributed to the Patriots' decision not to trade their 32nd choice after the two teams that preceded them – the Seahawks and the Rams – made their choice.
"There were phone calls in the end … we worked on some things … in the end we decided that the best thing for us to do was choose, and that's what we did, "said Caserio.
The Patriots participated in the repechage with 12 selections, which allowed them to win an NFL summit with the New York Giants, a race that includes two second round picks (Nos. 56, 64) and three third rounds (Nos. 73, 97, 101).
This could set up a busy Friday for the Patriots in the second and third rounds.
"There are definitely some good players left, we have some flexibility," said Caserio. "If there is a player we think we should target a little earlier, we could potentially go out and get him."
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