The New England Patriots and receiver Maurice Harris agree to terms on a one-year, $1 million deal last week. Here’s how that deal breaks down (below), according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Chances Harris makes the roster: 20 percent.
What the contract means for Harris: Will Harris be a training camp body, a depth option or a breakout star? Certainly, the Patriots are not treating Harris like a current star. He’s guaranteed just $90,000, and even has incentives in his salary to make the 46-man roster. It seems like the Patriots don’t anticipate that Harris will be a game day contributor, but his contributions would be a welcome surprise. For now, he’s one of the few experienced receivers on New England’s roster. And he’s shown he has great potential, with a Week 8 performance against the Atlanta Falcons when Harris put up 10 receptions for 124 yards.
His chances of making the team will likely fall considerably as free agency and the draft bring more players at his position (which is why I gave him a 20 percent chance). But Harris is one of the only big receivers on the roster so far at 6 foot 3. He has demonstrated upside. And the Patriots currently have a scarcity at the position. Perhaps they can bring the best out of the 26-year-old.
