PFF: Sun Devils WR N’Keal Harry cracks 2019 NFL Draft Board
Sep 19, 2018, 12:30 PM | Updated: 1:19 pm
Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry (1) can't haul in a pass as San Diego State safety Trenton Thompson defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Experts are certainly recognizing the dominance of Arizona State wide out N’Keal Harry to start the season. Pro Football Reference ranked Harry No. 15 on their 2019 NFL Draft Board, making him the fourth best receiver in the country through three weeks.
Over the course of three games, Harry has caught 21 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Harry has been the catalyst for Arizona State’s offense, providing 40 percent of their touchdowns to start the season.
“Harry has excellent size and downfield ball skills and he’s shown off impressive after-the-catch ability this season, forcing eight missed tackles on only 21 receptions while averaging 7.2 yards after the catch per reception.”
Standing at 6-foot-4, Harry provides a steady hand for quarterback Manny Wilkins to rely on. His height makes him a deep-threat in spite of coverage while his acceleration allows him to create separation from corners and safeties.
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An accompanying graphic shows that the eight missed tackles forced by Harry so far this season ranks fourth in the FBS among receivers.
Harry is competing against a loaded receiving class in the Pac-12, as Stanford wide out J.J. Arcega-Whiteside ranks three spots ahead at No. 12 on the PFF Draft Board. Arcega-Whiteside has nine more yards than Harry through three games despite catching eight less passes to start the year. Colorado’s Laviska Shenault Jr. leads the conference with 26 receptions for 455 yards, but hasn’t earned a spot on the Draft Board.
The rapport between Wilkins and Harry has helped them both to develop over their three years together. Wilkins took over as the starter for Arizona State in Harry’s freshman year. Under head coach Todd Graham, the duo finished their first year together with a record of 5-7 before improving to 7-6 in the 2017-18 season.
Under the tutelage of head coach Herm Edwards, both Harry and Wilkins will compete to earn a Pac-12 Championship as they develop draft stock side-by-side.
The Sun Devils are headed to Seattle to face No. 10 Washington on Saturday evening. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM.
