ASU Football: Analyzing N’Keal Harry’s fit with NFL teams

TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver N'Keal Harry #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms up prior to a game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver N'Keal Harry #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms up prior to a game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers

As Jimmy Garoppolo works his way back from an ACL tear, coach Kyle Shanahan is looking to upgrade the receiving corps around him. Harry could provide this possibility.

On Monday, he met with the 49ers, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, just one day before travelling to meet with the Seahawks in Seattle. With an offense that finished in the bottom half of the league in points per game (21.4), yards (360.6) and passing yards (241.7), Harry could be a critical receiver in a much-improved system.

His role would likely come from the Z-receiver, or flanker position, in San Francisco, which is what Jordan Matthews and Kendrick Bourne currently run. Harry’s optimal role, the Z-receiver, is currently housed by Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis, who finished with a combined 862 receiving yards in 2018.

This offseason, the 49ers have tried and failed at bringing in Antonio Brown or Odell Beckham Jr. to their core. Looking for a deep threat and someone that can create yards after contact, it wouldn’t be unthinkable to see them take a shot at Harry.

San Francisco currently holds the No. 36 pick, which is right around Harry’s wheelhouse. According to Bleacher Report analyst Matt Miller, Harry is a candidate for the 49ers with their second round choice, and if they can’t get him, they would move their attention to South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel.

The former Sun Devil would compete for a role in San Francisco, but there is a chance it wouldn’t be the best scenario.