
Mecole Hardman
25-Year-Old
Free Agent

Questionable
Injury Groin
Est. Return 5/1/2023
2022 Receiving Stats
REC
25
YDS
297
TD
4
AVG
11.9
TAR
34
2023 Projections
2022 Fantasy Outlook
Last offseason, Sammy Watkins' departure from KC was a selling point for Hardman's third-year breakout. It didn't happen, though the 2019 second-round pick with 4.33 speed played 17 games and finished with career highs for targets, catches and yards. Those numbers were still shy of starter territory in most fantasy leagues, especially with only two TDs. There were a few
positives, however, apart from the modest increase in volume, with Hardman's 8.5-yard YAC
average (and seven broken tackles) allowing him to produce 11.7 YPR even with a career-low
7.4 aDOT (down from 11.0 and 10.6 his first two years). The target depth could rebound this
year with Tyreek Hill traded to Miami, though the Chiefs signed deep threat Marquez Valdes-
Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster this spring, later picking Skyy Moore in Round 2. The
degree of turnover — Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson also signed elsewhere — creates
the upside of the unknown in what should still be a top-5 offense, but Hardman still hasn't
displayed the route-running skills, strength and consistency that allowed Hill to take full
advantage of his elite speed. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS

Undergoes groin surgery
Hardman (groin) announced via his personal Twitter account that he underwent groin surgery in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Hardman returned from his lingering groin injury during the AFC Championship Game, but he subsequently aggravated the issue and was ultimately sidelined for Kansas City's win over the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The looming free agent was limited to eight regular-season games with the Chiefs in 2022, in which he secured 25 of 34 targets for yards and four touchdowns. Hardman also had four carries for 31 yards and two scores and contributed in the return game.
Hardman returned from his lingering groin injury during the AFC Championship Game, but he subsequently aggravated the issue and was ultimately sidelined for Kansas City's win over the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The looming free agent was limited to eight regular-season games with the Chiefs in 2022, in which he secured 25 of 34 targets for yards and four touchdowns. Hardman also had four carries for 31 yards and two scores and contributed in the return game.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Mecole Hardman's 2022 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
33.9Air Yards Per Snap
0.96% Team Air Yards
6.1%% Team Targets
5.5%Avg Depth of Target
8.0 YdsCatch Rate
73.5%Drop Rate
2.9%Avg Yds After Catch
6.7% Targeted On Route
14.6%Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.27Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2022
2021
2020
2019
2022 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Mecole Hardman lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2022 Mecole Hardman Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Mecole Hardman's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"Weight
187 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.33 secVertical Jump
36.5 inBroad Jump
119 inBench Press
17 repsHand Length
9.00 inArm Length
30.25 in
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
Hardman's second year was much like his first — some big plays, good efficiency, but not nearly enough usage on which to count. At 5-10, 187, Hardman is small, but very fast — 4.33 40 — and he showed off that speed as a rookie with four catches of 40-plus yards on only 41 targets. But he had seven drops on 61 targets last year, and made costly mistakes in the Super Bowl, failing to get his head around on throws and jumping offsides. This season, he could replace Sammy Watkins as the team's No. 2 receiver behind Tyreek Hill, but Demarcus Robinson re-signed in March, and if snap counts are any indication, coach Andy Reid seems to value Robinson's blocking and consistency as much as Hardman's speed. Moreover, both Hill and tight end Travis Kelce are target hogs, making Hardman a long shot for big-time volume should both stay healthy. That said, no passing game has more upside, so Hardman doesn’t necessarily need triple-digit targets for a Year 3 breakout.
More Fantasy News

Placed on injured reserve
Kansas City placed Hardman (pelvis) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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Doubtful for Super Bowl
Hardman (pelvis) is listed as doubtful after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.
ANALYSIS
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Getting opinions on injury
The Chiefs are gathering opinions to determine if Hardman (pelvis) has a chance to play in Super Bowl LVII against the Bengals, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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Trending toward missing Super Bowl
Coach Andy Reid told Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com on Thursday that Hardman (pelvis) is unlikely to be available for Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles. "I think it'll be tough for him," Reid relayed.
ANALYSIS
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No practice Wednesday
Hardman (pelvis) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
ANALYSIS
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