Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers finally dipped their toe into the veteran wide receiver free-agent market by signing former Kansas City Chief and New York Jet Mecole Hardman. Fans had been speculating for months about whether Green Bay would make any outside additions at the position before the draft—rumors swirled about a potential Davante Adams reunion or a blockbuster trade for DK Metcalf. However, it appears the Packers never had serious interest in either. Instead, they opted for a low-cost, low-risk player in Hardman. While this may not be the major name fans were hoping for, it’s still a move that allows Green Bay to remain patient and flexible at the position.

The 27-year-old, six-year veteran—perhaps best known for his game-winning touchdown catch in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII—is coming off an underwhelming season with the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. His 2024 stats included 12 catches on 14 targets for 90 yards across 12 games. He also added five rushing attempts for 62 yards and a touchdown, his only score of the season. His year was cut short due to a knee injury in December, which prevented him from contributing to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run.

This move isn’t about Hardman coming in and being the number-one option the Packers currently lack. Instead, it’s about allowing the Packers to be patient with their wide receiver additions, mainly in the draft.

It’s no secret that Green Bay needed to add depth to the receiver room. With deep threat Christian Watson likely sidelined until the second half of the season, the Packers were essentially three deep at the position. Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs are the core receivers Green Bay is building around in 2025, but none bring the same vertical speed that Watson—or Hardman—does. Even once Watson returns, he’ll likely need time to shake off nearly a year’s worth of rust, meaning his impact may not be felt until the playoffs. Beyond Reed, Wicks, and Doubs, who else does a defense have to respect?

Bo Melton has 4.34 speed, but outside of a few flashes at the end of the 2023 season, he hasn’t proven much at the NFL level. Malik Heath has been a solid undrafted free-agent pickup as a depth piece, but with a 4.64 40-yard dash, he’s strictly a possession receiver and doesn’t pose a deep threat. Green Bay needed to add a speed option this offseason, and it was clear they weren’t interested in the financial commitments required for players like Adams, Metcalf, or other top-tier receivers. Hardman’s addition elevates the Packers’ receiver depth from replacement-level players like Melton and Heath to someone who has played in big games and made key plays in Kansas City.

Of course, Hardman’s return ability is likely what Green Bay valued most. A former second-team All-Pro returner in his rookie season (2019), he should provide immediate stability to a position the Packers currently lack a solution for. Jayden Reed, who returned punts in 2023, is expected to play a significant number of offensive snaps and shouldn’t be tasked with returning duties anymore—especially since his longest professional punt return is only 35 yards. Without Hardman, there was no clear replacement on the roster. Given his history of returning punts for touchdowns, he should instantly upgrade that role.

The same goes for kick returns. Keisean Nixon has publicly stated that he no longer wants to return kicks, instead preferring to focus on being the team’s CB1. The Packers should allow him to do that, which made finding a returner a necessity. Perhaps Green Bay would have drafted a receiver or cornerback with return ability, but they should be prioritizing finding impact players at those positions—not just return specialists. The addition of Hardman gives the team the flexibility to keep their offensive and defensive difference makers on their respective side of the ball.

The biggest benefit of adding Hardman is that it allows the Packers to let the draft board come to them. One of the worst things a team can do on draft weekend is reach for a player out of desperation to fill a roster hole. That approach often leads to draft busts and can set a team back. Just look at the price Green Bay is paying for the disastrous 2021 draft. The Packers still have significant holes along the defensive front, both at interior defensive line and edge rusher. In the first few rounds, if the best player available isn’t a receiver, they won’t feel forced to take one out of necessity.

Of course, expectations should remain realistic. Hardman has never been a dominant receiver and is unlikely to become one as a Packer. But he has the speed to be the field-stretching weapon Green Bay needs in 2025. Look no further than his 52-yard reception in the Super Bowl against the 49ers—he has the ability to impact a game, even if only in spurts. More importantly, his presence protects the Packers from reaching for a receiver in the draft, allowing them to stay true to their best-player-available philosophy.

A likely veteran-minimum contract for Hardman could end up paying big dividends for the Packers in 2025 in more way than one.