The Chicago Bears traded for N’Keal Harry in a move that we projected as a possible outcome a little over a month ago. Considering the move was expected, it is easy to point out some of the reasons why it made so much sense.
It is fair to admit that Harry has been everything that would define a bust so far, especially in first-round draft capital. A 2019 first-round pick turned into a 2024 7th-round pick for the New England Patriots.
While that is a loss, the Chicago Bears have a chance to be the breath of fresh air that puts his career back on track.
5. Age and Draft Pedigree
Probably the biggest reason to trade for N’Keal Harry is that he is still 24 years old. He will not turn 25 until December, either, so most of this season he will be at this young age. While Harry has played in the NFL for three seasons already he is still the youngest wide receiver on the depth chart that includes a rookie in Velus Jones.
Velus Jones is about six months older than Harry and has not taken an NFL snap. So, while Harry was a bust for the Patriots, in a new beginning he is now a 24-year-old with a lot of time in front of him.
One way to look at this is that Harry would have likely been extremely productive had he played college football the past three seasons. He went over 1,000 in two straight seasons as a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old.
Had he put three more productive years against college players fans would be brushing off his age and talking about how dominant he was. On the flip side, Velus Jones had to transfer from USC and was probably not getting draft when he was 20 years old. Had he entered the NFL at the age of Harry, he may not even be in the NFL, let alone getting a last chance like Harry is.
Harry entered early and took his lumps against tougher competition, Jones stayed in school and got better against weaker competition. Considering a player like Jones could jump out and have his best year in college at age 24, Harry could certainly find a new home and improve at his young age as well.