4 years agoIt's fair to say the Chiefs never actually wanted Mecole Hardman. He was a panic draft pick after a concerning recording leaked shortly before the 2019 NFL draft of Tyreek Hill, putting Hill's 2019 season in jeopardy. Miraculously, Hill escaped punishment so the Chiefs were left with a knock-off version of Hill without a clear role. Hardman hasn't missed a game in his two-year career, but he's been targeted just 103 times (3.2 per game). Entering 2021, Sammy Watkins is now in Baltimore and the Chiefs have exactly zero playmakers outside of Hill and Travis Kelce. Now in his third NFL season, it's put up or shut up time for Hardman. He's still just 23 years old, but if he can't break out now, it's never happening. Hardman should be able to fend off Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle to retain the starting job opposite Hill. Hardman played just 44% of the snaps last season. That number should be closer to 80% this season. Physically, Hardman looks exactly like Hill - 5'10, 185 lbs, 4.33 speed. They're essentially the same player, except Hill is better at everything. I'm just not sure if Hardman has the wide receiver ability to be anything more than the gadget player all the bad fantasy analysts thought Hill was after 2017. Nevertheless, given Hardman's athleticism, the opportunity to potentially be third on the team in targets, and that Patrick Mahomes guy throwing him passes, Hardman is worth a late round dart throw as your WR4/5 in fantasy leagues.--Jason Katz