Is Mecole Hardman Playing In Week 10? Should I Start Marquez Valdes-Scantling?

November 13, 2022

Is Mecole Hardman playing in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars? How long will Hardman be out with his hamstring injury? Should I start Marquez Valdes-Scantling in fantasy football this week?

Mecole Hardman has finished inside the top-six wide receivers in back-to-back games. An abdominal injury has derailed the fourth-year wideout's recent hot streak. Hardman has been the WR11 over the past five weeks, averaging over 18 points during the stretch.

The 24-year-old has found the end zone five times in his last three games. Hardman posted season-highs in targets (nine), receptions (six), and receiving yards (79) in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans.

Is Mecole Hardman playing in Week 10? Should I pick up and start Marquez Valdes-Scantling in fantasy football?

Is Mecole Hardman Playing In Week 10?

The former Georgia Bulldog did not participate in any practice this week. Mecole Hardman was ruled out for Week 10 with an abdominal injury on the Kansas City Chiefs' final injury report. The Chiefs square off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year.

Newly acquired Kadarius Toney projects to be Hardman's fill-in this Sunday. Playing in just nine snaps in his Kansas City debut, Toney reeled in two receptions and now has a huge opportunity to take over Hardman's role if he succeeds.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore are expected to see a boost in opportunities with Hardman out. Valdes-Scantling has two weekly finishes as a top-24 wide receiver this year and is third on the Chiefs with 381 receiving yards.

Should I Pickup and Start Marquez Valdes-Scantling in Fantasy Football?

MVS is averaging 16.6 yards per reception this year and has made an impact in his first year with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Green Bay Packer was targeted just once in last week's game but had a 100-yard performance in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Valdes-Scantling has yet to find the end zone this year, hurting his fantasy rank for the season. The 28-year-old has caught just one of six red zone targets. Mecole Hardman is tied for the team lead with eight red-zone receptions for Kansas City and has scored four touchdowns from close range.

While Hardman's absence will provide more opportunities for the veteran Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney is the Kansas City wide receiver that should be impacted greater. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a decent streamer option nearly every week. His stock doesn't change much with Hardman out, he's still a high-risk, high-upside pickup.

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