Mecole Hardman

Mecole Hardman

26-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
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
$Signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Jets in March of 2023. Traded to the Chiefs in October of 2023.
Comes through with clutch touchdown
WRKansas City Chiefs
February 11, 2024
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.
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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. 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. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Air Yards Per Game
9.5
 
Air Yards Per Snap
0.89
 
% Team Air Yards
2.7%
 
% Team Targets
3.5%
 
Avg Depth of Target
5.0 Yds
 
Catch Rate
66.7%
 
Drop Rate
9.5%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
7.9
 
% Targeted On Route
18.4%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.04
 
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2022 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.
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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 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.33 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.5 in
 
Broad Jump
119 in
 
Bench Press
17 reps
 
Hand Length
9.00 in
 
Arm Length
30.25 in
 
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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.
Hardman's second year was much like his first — some big plays, good efficiency, but not nearly enough usage on which to count. At 5-10, 187, Hardman is small, but very fast — 4.33 40 — and he showed off that speed as a rookie with four catches of 40-plus yards on only 41 targets. But he had seven drops on 61 targets last year, and made costly mistakes in the Super Bowl, failing to get his head around on throws and jumping offsides. This season, he could replace Sammy Watkins as the team's No. 2 receiver behind Tyreek Hill, but Demarcus Robinson re-signed in March, and if snap counts are any indication, coach Andy Reid seems to value Robinson's blocking and consistency as much as Hardman's speed. Moreover, both Hill and tight end Travis Kelce are target hogs, making Hardman a long shot for big-time volume should both stay healthy. That said, no passing game has more upside, so Hardman doesn’t necessarily need triple-digit targets for a Year 3 breakout.
For a player who was barely used, Hardman was awfully productive in his rookie season. The 56th overall pick in the 2019 draft scored seven times on 41 targets, including a kick return he brought to the house. He also put up a monstrous 20.7 YPC and 13.1 YPT, league-leading numbers in the unlikely event he were able to maintain that at higher volume. At 5-10, 187, Hardman is small but extremely fast (4.33 40) and is quick and explosive in the open field. He also has the benefit of working with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in the league's most high-powered offense. The problem for Hardman is usage - he was only the fourth wideout in an offense that also relies heavily on its tight end (Travis Kelce) and throws to its backs. And the Chiefs re-signed Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson, while Tyreek Hill is an even faster version of Hardman and firmly entrenched as the team's No. 1 option. So why is Hardman ranked this high? Because Watkins has been notoriously injury-prone, Hill himself was seriously injured last year and has had problems off the field, and Robinson is not especially good. Should Hardman take a big step forward in Year 2, or one of those players underperform or get hurt, there's massive upside for a player with his skills in this offense.
With Tyreek Hill's playing status up in the air earlier this offseason, the Chiefs used the 56th overall pick to nab a player with similar physical specs. At 5-11, 183, and running a blistering 4.33 40, Hardman's one of the fastest receivers in the rookie class and should immediately find himself as the team's new field stretcher, an especially valuable role given Patrick Mahomes' other-worldly arm. Hardman was a five-star athlete coming out of high school, starting his career at cornerback before switching to receiver. He might be a little raw, but he didn't turn 21 until March and has plenty of room to grow as a player. With Hill now in line to be on the field to start the season and Sammy Watkins still around, Hardman's initial path to steady work is not clear, especially with Travis Kelce being among the league's most targeted tight ends. Of course there isn't really any established depth behind Hill and Watkins, and it's notable that Watkins has an extensive injury history.
More Fantasy News
Emerges in Week 18 win
WRKansas City Chiefs
January 7, 2024
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
WRKansas City Chiefs
December 30, 2023
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
WRKansas City Chiefs
Thumb
December 30, 2023
The Chiefs plan to activate Hardman (thumb) off IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
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Won't be activated in Week 16
WRKansas City Chiefs
Thumb
December 23, 2023
Hardman (thumb) has been ruled out for Monday's game versus the Raiders.
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Limited participant in practice
WRKansas City Chiefs
Thumb
December 21, 2023
Hardman (thumb) was a limited participant in practice Thursday after being designated to return from injured reserve.
ANALYSIS
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