In 2019, Belichick opted to draft receiver N’Keal Harry in the first round over A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel. The Patriots later traded their second-round pick to Seattle, who drafted D.K. Metcalf. Terry McLaurin was also drafted that year in the third round.

The New England Patriots have been struggling in the wide receiver department for some time now. Owing to this struggle, head coach Jerod Mayo saw himself facing criticism over the Ladd McConkey draft saga.