The Green Bay Packers added a wide receiver on Tuesday night in the form of Mecole Hardman.
Hardman comes over after spending most of his first six years in Kansas City. His highlight play was being on the receiving end of a game-winning touchdown in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.
MECOLE HARDMAN WINS THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE CHIEFS.
BACK TO BACK FOR PATRICK MAHOMES.pic.twitter.com/euv1CsHzxk
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 12, 2024
There’s some name recognition with Hardman. But don’t get it twisted: His addition doesn’t move the needle whatsoever in the wide receiver room.
It’s time to accept that the bulk of free agency is over. Barring some unforeseen trade, the Packers will pivot their attention toward the draft. They may add a depth piece here and there, like signing Hardman. However, there isn’t going to be some earth-shattering signing because teams have swiped those players off the market.
Green Bay still needs to add to the wide receiver room, and while Hardman technically does that, the numbers say otherwise. Hardman hasn’t had a receiving touchdown in the regular season since 2022. Hardman hasn’t eclipsed 25 receptions in a season since 2021.
The Chiefs used , known for his blazing speed, as more of a gadget player the past couple of years, but he was extremely low in the pecking order.
Think of Wheezy from Toy Story. Wheezy used to be one of Andy’s favorite toys. However, he fell out of favor and ended up on a shelf collecting dust until Woody discovered him. Hell, even the other toys had forgotten about Wheezy.
Hardman became the guy in Kansas City who would get a target every couple of games, and you’d mutter to a buddy, Oh yeah, Mecole Hardman is on the Chiefs.
Kansas City wasn’t loaded at wideout the last few years, either. In fact, they used resources to continue to add to the room to boost it. Opportunity was there. Hardman was never able to latch onto it.
Hardman had 12 receptions in 12 games last year. If you’re trying to find the positive in Green Bay’s signing, 10 of those receptions came with him in pre-snap motion. Matt LaFleur loves using pre-snap motion, and wide receiver Jayden Reed is one of the focal points of that part of the operation. If he makes the roster, LaFleur could mix Hardman into the offense from that perspective.
Hardman can still burn downfield, but that’s not how the Chiefs used him last year. Of his 12 receptions for Kansas City, not one pass sailed through the air more than 10 yards; most came on quick-hitting plays to try and let Hardman navigate around the defense. He had a season-long 17-yard reception to put on the resumé.
According to Pro Football Reference, when bottling up all 12 of Hardman’s receptions, they traveled minus-9 yards in the air before he caught them.
You’re not misreading that. Most came on pitches.
On top of that number, Hardman had an average depth of target of -1 yards per target. Yet some believe this can solve Green Bay’s deep-threat woes.
All the chatter after the signing seemed to focus on Hardman being a placeholder for Christian Watson until he returns from a torn ACL. Putting Hardman in the same category as Watson is the equivalent of saying Pizza Hut is as good as grabbing a New York slice.
For the record, this isn’t Hardman’s fault.
Someone was going to take a crack at him in free agency. It just happened to be a team that could use a far greater upgrade. The hope that he can slide into Watson’s shoes during No. 9’s absence is unrealistic and unfair to Hardman.
However, the Packers could use Hardman in the return game.
Hardman returned 12 punts and five kicks in 2024. After cornerback Keisean Nixon revealed he doesn’t want to return anymore, it opened up a spot that the Packers have to fill if they want to grant Nixon’s wish.
Yes, kick returns are vanishing by the season, even with the rule changes enforced. Still, someone needs to fill the role.
As for punt returns, Jayden Reed hasn’t taken off with the gig. Perhaps letting him focus all his attention on being a wide receiver could elevate his game where the Packers need it most.
It can’t be overstated how much Green Bay values versatility, and Hardman’s ability to be both a receiver and returner is cherished in Green Bay more than it might be in other places.
Signing Hardman shouldn’t and won’t change Green Bay’s plans for the draft. Hardman is a fine depth piece, but he realistically can’t be viewed as anything more than that. He’s not a placeholder for Watson. It’s not a move to solve the wide receiver issues. It’s strictly a depth move.
As long as you (and the Packers’ staff) accepts that fact, the move is fine. Still, it doesn’t move the needle, nor does it change the outlook of the wide receiver room in Green Bay.