Here's why Kansas City Chiefs' decision to re-sign WR Mecole Hardman makes perfect sense
The Kansas City Chiefs' latest roster move to re-sign Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman makes all the sense in the world for the reigning champions. A former second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Hardman has spent 4.5 seasons with the Chiefs. He was a trade acquisition by the team last season after leaving in free agency […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' latest roster move to re-sign Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman makes all the sense in the world for the reigning champions.
A former second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Hardman has spent 4.5 seasons with the Chiefs. He was a trade acquisition by the team last season after leaving in free agency during the offseason to join the New York Jets. The move to trade for Hardman was vindicated when he caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl LVIII.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach maintained he was open to bringing back Hardman in free agency this offseason. He stayed true to his word, even deep into June with mandatory minicamp just around the corner.
While people in the fantasy football community might be worried about a player like Hardman blocking a talented rookie like Xavier Worthy from getting repetitions, this is the type of move that could help the team in the long run. It might also prove to be a good thing for Worthy, too. Not only does Hardman provide depth at a key position, but he's a veteran leader and another speedster in the wide receiver room.
Veteran leadership was required in Chiefs' receiver room
Looking at the Chiefs' receiver room ahead of the Mecole Hardman signing, it was severely lacking when it comes to veteran leadership. Skyy Moore and Justin Watson, entering their third seasons with the team, would be the longest-tenured wide receivers in Kansas City. Neither exactly has a bevy of production during their career either.
Hardman rejoining the room immediately makes him the "old head." He has five years in the system with 77 combined regular season and postseason games played for the Chiefs, along with 32 combined starts. Hardman is someone that you can plug in at any of the three wide receiver positions in Kansas City and not miss a beat.
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Injury history in the wide receiver room is worrisome
Adding a veteran to the mix only helps from a depth perspective for Kansas City, especially when you consider the injury history. Last season, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney both missed games due to injury. Nikko Remigio missed the entire season with a shoulder injury. Justyn Ross has an injury history. Hollywood Brown is the team's top free agent signing, but he's missed time in each of the past two seasons with injuries. Xavier Worthy is already missing practice time with a hamstring injury.
We already know that Rashee Rice is expected to miss some time with a suspension. If an injury were to occur to any of the players mentioned above, Hardman could pinch hit for them with ease. He's already familiar with the scheme and has chemistry built up with Patrick Mahomes. He's also no stranger to the playoffs, with 14 career games under his belt, including playing in three Super Bowls (2-1 record in the big game).
That's what speed do
Speed kills in the NFL, and the Chiefs might have the fastest wide receiver room in football after this move to sign Hardman. First-round draft pick Xavier Worthy, of course, broke the NFL Scouting Combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash. Hollywood Brown runs a 4.27s 40-yard dash. Hardman adds a 4.33 40-yard dash to the mix.
If you put Brown, Worthy, and Hardman on the field all at once, with Isiah Pacheco in the backfield and Travis Kelce, it's going to put an enormous amount of stress on a defense. Handling all of that speed is a daunting task in and of itself, never mind the creativity in scheme from Chiefs HC Andy Reid.
It's not just about the offense either. With the new kick-return rules, having a variety of speedy kick-return specialists to choose from could be a massive boon for Dave Toub.
Chiefs players hosting charity softball game at Legends Field on Thursday night
Nearly two dozen Chiefs players are confirmed for participation in the charity softball game.
