The New England Patriots liked Percy Harvin when he was coming into the NFL Draft. The wide receiver was drafted at the No. 22 pick by the Minnesota Vikings causing the Patriots to trade down after missing their guy. Now with the 2015 free agency market preparing to open, there is a good chance that Harvin will be a part of it. With the New York Jets mulling what to do with the wide receiver, the New England Patriots could eventually get their guy.
Harvin is not a free agent yet, but the Boston Globe's Chris Gasper is reporting that the Patriots will show interested in Harvin if available as head coach Bill Belichick "always liked" the receiver. New England has Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell handling the wide receiver group at the moment with brief flashes of production from Danny Amendola. Adding a dynamic receiver like Harvin is really a no-brainer. He is a nightmare matchup when healthy and could really benefit playing under Tom Brady.
The issue is whether or not Harvin will be available. The Jets are still trying to figure out whether or not it is worth retaining the wide receiver of releasing him for another big name in free agency. The deadline for a call on Harvin is approaching in March meaning the clock is ticking for New York. According to the New York Post, the Jets would ideally like to keep Harvin but restructure his contract to be more team friendly. That is easier said than done as Harvin has admitted he is not keen on taking a pay cut, but likes New York. Does he like the Big Apple enough to stay put?
Harvin is costing the Jets draft picks regardless. Right now, Todd Bowles is aware that the Jets need big playmakers on offense in order to make any quarterback successful. Geno Smith is all they have right now and if the Jets are forced to start him, he needs receivers outside of Eric Decker. Harvin could easily be that guy, but so could Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Torrey Smith or Michael Crabtree depending on cost. The Jets will not overspend on players, but need more dynamic stars to make the offense work.