Patriots wide receiver named ‘potential trade candidate’

Last July, Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry seemingly requested a trade from the team. Nothing ever came of the request though, and Harry spent the 2021 season in New England.

With a new league year set to begin though, the trade winds are swirling around Harry again. Thursday night, Doug Kyed of PFF tweeted that Harry is “a name to keep an eye on as a potential trade candidate before the draft.” Kyed added that “teams have shown recent interest” in Harry.

Even before his trade request last summer, Harry was a rumored candidate for a move. Teams reportedly interested at the time including the Arizona Cardinals and now-Washington Commanders, with a Day 3 draft pick expected as the return.

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  Of course, a lot can and has changed in a year, and the landscape of the teams involved isn't what it was last March. Harry's value has likely also changed - he struggled to be a factor in 2021, catching 12 passes for 184 yards and no touchdowns in 12 games this past season.
  
  Whether there's a trade or not, the end of Harry's time in New England likely is coming to an end sooner rather than later. He's entering the final concrete year of his rookie contract (a decision on his fifth-year option is due later this spring), and the team would open up just over $1 million in cap space by cutting or trading the 24-year-old.
  
  Harry was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has just 57 catches for 598 yards in three seasons with the team.

NFL fifth-year option numbers for 2022

• The NFL’s official fifth-year option amounts for 2022 were released this week, listed by position and grouped by different criteria. Albert Breer of The MMQB shared a memo from the league containing the figures. Here’s how it’ll all break down.

  Players with two or more Pro Bowls

  Quarterback: $29.7 million
  Running Back: $9.6 million
  Wide Receiver: $18.4 million
  Tight End: $10.9 million
  Offensive Lineman: $16.7 million
  Defensive End: $17.9 million
  Defensive Tackle: $17.4 million
  Linebacker: $18.7 million
  Cornerback: $17.3 million
  Safety: $12.9 million
  Special Teams: $5.2 million

• Players with one Pro Bowl

  Quarterback: $27.2 million
  Running Back: $8.0 million
  Wide Receiver: $16.8 million
  Tight End: $9.4 million
  Offensive Lineman: $15.3 million
  Defensive End: $16.0 million
  Defensive Tackle: $14.7 million
  Linebacker: $15.8 million
  Cornerback: $15.2 million
  Safety: $10.8 million
  Special Teams: $4.7 million

• Players who meet playtime criteria

  Quarterback: $22.4 million
  Running Back: $5.7 million
  Wide Receiver: $13.4 million
  Tight End: $6.9 million
  Offensive Lineman: $13.2 million
  Defensive End: $12.4 million
  Defensive Tackle: $10.8 million
  Linebacker: $11.7 million
  Cornerback: $12.0 million
  Safety: $7.9 million
  Special Teams: $3.9 million

• Players who do not meet playtime criteria

  Quarterback: $19.6 million
  Running Back: $5.2 million
  Wide Receiver: $12.4 million
  Tight End: $6.2 million
  Offensive Lineman: $12.6 million
  Defensive End: $11.5 million
  Defensive Tackle: $9.6 million
  Linebacker: $10.9 million
  Cornerback: $11.2 million
  Safety: $7.3 million
  Special Teams: $3.6 million

• Teams will have until May 2 to pick up the fifth-year option for eligible players. Click here to learn more about the key dates on the 2022 NFL calendar.

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.