Mecole Hardman
26-Year-Old
Free Agent
2023 Receiving Stats
REC
16
YDS
130
TD
0
AVG
8.1
TAR
27
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Hardman was unable to take advantage of Tyreek Hill's departure last season with the Chiefs, missing games for the first time in his career and averaging 33-41 receiving yards per game for a fourth consecutive season. But he scored six touchdowns (two rushing) in eight games, and his 53 percent snap share was a slight uptick from previous years (45, 45 and 52 percent). The 2019 second-round pick had core muscle surgery in February, then signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Jets in March. He'll now catch passes from another future Hall of Famer, though Aaron Rodgers is on the downside of his career and also has Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb at wide receiver. The 25-year-old Hardman arguably offers some post-hype breakout appeal now that he's taking his 4.33 speed to a new team after four straight years in Kansas City with at least 8.3 YPT and a 63 percent catch rate in a part-time role. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Comes through with clutch touchdown
Hardman recorded three receptions (on three targets) for 57 yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
ANALYSIS
Hardman was acquired by the Chiefs at the trade deadline but was sidelined by a thumb injury for most of the remaining games in the regular season. He also played a minimal role in the playoffs, including the AFC Championship Game, when he was on the field for only one offensive snap. However, Hardman came through on the biggest stage, catching a three-yard touchdown in overtime to deliver a walk-off Super Bowl win for the Chiefs. He also tallied a 52-yard catch early in the second quarter, accounting for the team's longest play from scrimmage. Hardman will hit free agency this offseason, and he'll likely find a short-term deal as a depth pass-catching option.
Hardman was acquired by the Chiefs at the trade deadline but was sidelined by a thumb injury for most of the remaining games in the regular season. He also played a minimal role in the playoffs, including the AFC Championship Game, when he was on the field for only one offensive snap. However, Hardman came through on the biggest stage, catching a three-yard touchdown in overtime to deliver a walk-off Super Bowl win for the Chiefs. He also tallied a 52-yard catch early in the second quarter, accounting for the team's longest play from scrimmage. Hardman will hit free agency this offseason, and he'll likely find a short-term deal as a depth pass-catching option.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Mecole Hardman's 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
9.5Air Yards Per Snap
0.89% Team Air Yards
2.7%% Team Targets
3.5%Avg Depth of Target
5.0 YdsCatch Rate
66.7%Drop Rate
9.5%Avg Yds After Catch
7.9% Targeted On Route
18.4%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2023 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Mecole Hardman lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Mecole Hardman Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Mecole Hardman's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"Weight
187 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.33 secVertical Jump
36.5 inBroad Jump
119 inBench Press
17 repsHand Length
9.00 inArm Length
30.25 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Controversial comments before trade
Hardman's recent comments that he'd asked the Chiefs to "come get me" when he was dissatisfied with his role on the Jets last season could lead to New York pursuing tampering charges, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hardman made his admission on a recent episode of "The Pivot" podcast, during which he was critical of the Jets' culture and in which he conceded he'd become thoroughly frustrated by his lack of playing time with the team. Hardman claimed he had already had contact with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and quarterback Patrick Mahomes by that point and requested Kansas City bring him back into the fold via trade. That transaction ultimately came to pass, but Hardman took to X on Tuesday night to emphasize that he "never had talks with KC before the trade," seemingly contradicting his earlier statements.
Hardman made his admission on a recent episode of "The Pivot" podcast, during which he was critical of the Jets' culture and in which he conceded he'd become thoroughly frustrated by his lack of playing time with the team. Hardman claimed he had already had contact with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and quarterback Patrick Mahomes by that point and requested Kansas City bring him back into the fold via trade. That transaction ultimately came to pass, but Hardman took to X on Tuesday night to emphasize that he "never had talks with KC before the trade," seemingly contradicting his earlier statements.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
Last offseason, Sammy Watkins' departure from KC was a selling point for Hardman's third-year breakout. It didn't happen, though the 2019 second-round pick with 4.33 speed played 17 games and finished with career highs for targets, catches and yards. Those numbers were still shy of starter territory in most fantasy leagues, especially with only two TDs. There were a few
positives, however, apart from the modest increase in volume, with Hardman's 8.5-yard YAC
average (and seven broken tackles) allowing him to produce 11.7 YPR even with a career-low
7.4 aDOT (down from 11.0 and 10.6 his first two years). The target depth could rebound this
year with Tyreek Hill traded to Miami, though the Chiefs signed deep threat Marquez Valdes-
Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster this spring, later picking Skyy Moore in Round 2. The
degree of turnover — Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson also signed elsewhere — creates
the upside of the unknown in what should still be a top-5 offense, but Hardman still hasn't
displayed the route-running skills, strength and consistency that allowed Hill to take full
advantage of his elite speed.
More Fantasy News
Emerges in Week 18 win
Hardman recorded six receptions on 11 targets for 77 yards in Sunday's 13-12 win over the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
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Activated from IR
Hardman (thumb) has been activated off IR in advance of Sunday's game against the Bengals.
ANALYSIS
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Expected to be activated off IR
The Chiefs plan to activate Hardman (thumb) off IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Won't be activated in Week 16
Hardman (thumb) has been ruled out for Monday's game versus the Raiders.
ANALYSIS
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Limited participant in practice
Hardman (thumb) was a limited participant in practice Thursday after being designated to return from injured reserve.
ANALYSIS
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