Details Emerge on N’Keal Harry’s Contract
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah surprised the team’s fans Sunday, signing former New England Patriots and Chicago Bears wideout N’Keal Harry to compete for a 53-man roster spot.
The Vikings have until August 29th to snip the roster from 91 players to 53.
Details Emerge on N’Keal Harry’s Contract
On Wednesday, details emerged about Harry’s contract, as the Arizona State alumnus signed a one-year, $1.08 million deal in Minnesota. None of the contract is financially guaranteed, and if Harry is released before or during this season, Minnesota will eat no dead cap hit.
And according to the Vikings first-but-unofficial depth chart released Monday, this is where Harry lives while jostling for a regular season job:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: K.J. Osborn
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Jordan Addison
WR5: Jalen Reagor
WR6: Brandon Powell
WR7: Blake Proehl
WR8: Trishton Jackson
WR9: Lucky Jackson
WR10: Thayer Thomas
WR11: N’Keal Harry
WR12: Garett Maag
WR13: Jacob Copeland
Harry will battle for the WR5 job or perhaps WR6 if Minnesota decides to keep six WRs instead of five. Five was the cutoff last year when the 53-man roster was announced at the end of summer. Jalen Reagor won a roster spot in 2022 and served as the team’s punt returner. He might have a slight edge to earn WR5 due to incumbency. Brandon Powell has also impressed at training camp.
Meanwhile, Harry showed off some theatrics at the Vikings night practice Thursday, making his case for WR5:
Harry has tabulated 64 receptions for 714 yards and 5 scores in his four-year career, so he has some experience. He hasn’t taken the NFL by storm since 2019, especially as a former 1st-Rounder, but he is more of a ‘big name’ to land with the Vikings than most folks expected.
Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson were injured recently, albeit with minor ailments, and Minnesota certainly didn’t lack bodies in the WR room before the Harry addition. But none have a 1st-Round pedigree like Harry. Most theorized his acquisition as a ‘camp body’ last weekend, but there’s a reasonable chance that the 25-year-old makes the final roster.
Harry should see extended action on the road at Seattle on Thursday night. The Vikings take on the Seahawks in the first preseason game of 2023, and starters are expected to sit. That paves the way for men like Harry to see playing time.
If Harry and Reagor somehow make the 53-man threshold, Minnesota will employ four 1st-Rounder wide receivers: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison — and Harry + Reagor.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.