Mike's Thoughts on Percy Harvin

In my continuing series of taking an in depth look at every single free agent/trade bait that comes up as having New England as a potential destination, the latest rumors involve Vikings Wide Receiver Percy Harvin. Here's what you should probably know about Harvin:

1) He played his college ball at Florida under coach Urban Meyer and won two SEC Championships (2006, 2008) and two BCS Championships (2007, 2009). Bill seems to like players that have enjoyed success at the college level as well as players from Urban Meyer's Florida teams like Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham and Aaron Hernandez.

2) He was selected 22nd overall by the Vikings in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Patriots worked Harvin out before the draft. New England held the 23rd overall pick and after Harvin's selection traded down to 26th and then traded again to get out of the first round entirely. Were the Patriots waiting to see if Harvin was selected before dealing the pick or was this just a coincidence?

3) In his rookie season in 2009 he won numerous Rookie of the Year awards and was selected to the Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro.

4) He is a slot reciever. With Wes Welker's future up in the air could Harvin be the replacement the Patriots have in mind?

5)He is a dangerous kick returner, racking up 5 TDs from kick returns in his 4 seasons. Bill always values versatility and players that also contribute on special teams.

6) He has off field issues. He tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine. He has missed games and practices as a result of migraine headaches. He suffered an ankle injury in November of last season. He was initially expected to return before the end of the season, but eventually was placed on injured reserve in early December. He reportedly had a heated, public argument with head coach Leslie Frazier. Since then rumors have been circulating that Harvin is on the trading block and that the price could be as low as a second or third round pick in the upcoming draft. The Patriots have taken on a number of troubled talents and successfully rehabbed their images and gotten their careers back on track.

7) During his 4 seasons with the Vikings, Harvin has played with 5 starting quarterbacks (Brett Favre, Tavaris Jackson, Joe Webb, Christian Ponder and Donovan McNabb) and two head coaches (Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier). Despite this lack of stability around him, he's managed to put up great numbers every season. His ability to adapt to new systems and still be successful suggests that he could transition well into the Patriots system, unlike other failed projects like Chad Ochocinco.

8) We don't see much of Percy here in New England. He has played in one game against the Patriots in the 2010-11 season where the Vikings lost 28-18. Harvin was excellent in the losing effort with 6 catches on 8 targets for 104 total yards.

This is another deal that makes a lot of sense on paper for the Patriots. I think whether or not this deal happens depends entirely on how negotiations go with Wes Welker. If Welker gets signed to a long term deal getting Harvin makes very little sense for the Patriots as they are largely redundant in their roles. Conversely, if the Patriots let Welker walk Harvin would seem to be an excellent young replacment (Harvin is 24, Welker is 31). If negotiations with Welker go sour again and Harvin is still on the market I think the chances of this deal happening go up dramatically.