Can N’Keal Harry take big jump from Year 1 to Year 2?

The 2019 first-round draft pick N"keal Harry is working with a foot specialist to improve his footwork on the playing field. That's just one of many areas the young wideout needs work in.

The Patriots tried a multitude of ways to get Harry the ball. People might not like this but Josh McDaniels will still have his work cut out for him, as he tries to use the move tight end as a split end.

Tom Brady was a double edged sword for Harry last season. Tom Brady doesn't like to mentor new or young receivers. He expects everyone to know their job and if you don't, he won't throw you the ball, even if you're the only eligible receiver and the defense is blitzing 11.

Ryan Hannable wrote the following about The Brady to Harry connection. "Brady is so demanding that maybe Harry was thinking too much instead of just playing."

The quarterbacks on the depth chart don't have Brady's luxury of not throwing to open pass catchers, nor do the have the leeway to be so demanding. They haven't earned that right. So Harry will a little room to breathe.

Critics worry about the fact Harry Missed 9 regular season games and majority of the preseason with injury. Harry being a first round pick, people want him on the field, not at home on his couch.

Harry was robbed during the Kansas City game. However, The entire season Harry seemed to struggle to get open. Harry did catch 12 of his 24 targets. Brady on occasion would throw the ball to a bad location. So how much of that was Harry and how much of that was Brady? A 50% catch rate is not good.

Harry wasn't in Brady's circle of trust as Tom repeatedly fired the ball at Mohamed Sanu and Julian Edelman. While Harry needs to improve, the biggest Improvement for his development, may have been Tom Brady going to Tampa.

People can argue that all they want, Brady is a hindrance for young pass catchers. I'm sure if someone actually went back and watched tape, that Brady was at some fault for lack of pass catchers in 2019.

Harry has his work cut out for him. The big bodied receiver is going to have to show that he can play the X position and should learn as much of the route tree as possible, to help his career. 

Harry is a good contested ball receiver but most move tight ends are. Harry needs to show that he's not just a big body but a solid pair of hands that can catch the ball if it's thrown to him. He needs to prove that he's a wideout.

Harry has until the end of next season to show he can do it or he will be labeled a first round bust. The Patriots will give him every opportunity but he has to make the leap on his own. The clock is ticking and Harry is racing against time.