Mecole Hardman could make Chiefs unfair to deal with
Mecole Hardman looks set to have a fantastic rookie season in Kansas. At the Chiefs, there are five reasons why.
Patrick Mahomes. Tyreek Hill. Travis Kelce. Sammy Watkins. Andy Reid.
Those five names alone should be more than enough to evoke fear into any defense this season. Now factor in another wide receiver who can run a 4.2 40-time, and the Kansas City Chiefs are all the more exceptional.
In April, Kansas City selected Mecole Hardman out of the University of Georgia with its first or two second-round choices. A raw talent who was used all over the field in Athens — including as a returner — Hardman needs considerable refinement. However, the blazing speed is evident.
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Kansas City might have the fastest offense in football, led by Hill and his 4.24 40-time. Watkins is a tick north of 4.3 speed, while Kelce runs a 4.6 at 260 pounds at tight end. With Hardman entering the fray as either the third or fourth receiver on the depth chart (he’s fighting for time with veteran Demarcus Robinson), there’s another toy for Reid to tinker with.
Looking at Reid’s history, one can expect plenty of usages for Hardman in his rookie season. The Chiefs will almost certainly send him out wide and drop him down into the slot. He’ll also line up in the backfield and be involved in a litany of jet sweep action. Combined with the aforementioned stars, a quality running back in Damien Williams and a terrific offensive line, there’s no discernible weakness for a Chiefs team trying to win its first Super Bowl in 50 years.
The early word out of Chiefs camp is Hardman fitting in well. The team doesn’t have its first preseason action until Aug. 10 against there Cincinnati Bengals, giving the rookie time to acclimate and create a chemistry with Mahomes. Once the exhibition games roll around, look for Hardman to mix in with the first unit while primarily getting time with the second team and backup quarterback Chad Henne.
Mecole Hardman is consistently running away from cats today
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2019
Rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman is down the depth chart but he'll be making an upward move with more practices like the one he had today. He had his most productive day of camp. His speed was difficult for the defense to contend with.
https://t.co/jiBxrG2a8T— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) July 29, 2019
Read: Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Don’t Need a Rushing Championship
As the season progresses, Hardman will likely be given more to handle. Come November and December (and beyond) he may be a full-fledged force in the offense, much the same route Hill took as a first-year player in 2016.
Kansas City is relying on an improved defense to help it reach its lofty goals, but having the league’s most explosive offense, now with another weapon to add into the mix, is a damn fine insurance policy.
