Remotely possible Hardman doesn't make the 53? I believe it is only a 50/50 proposition...depending on Watson's recovery track, Doubs all clear for head injuries, Wicks and Reed playing with velcro hands, and the ability the rookie receiver(s?) bring to the team.

Hardman's straight line speed has not translated into elite play, or even steady production. He may be fast but he can't seem beat NFL DBs routinely.

So much more to a reception than just speed. I don't know how he has perfected the route trees, competes for balls, if he is as quick as he is fast, how he blocks, and catches his targets sans drops. Those 5 attributes are more important for NFL receivers than straight line speed.

A 4.5 WR who does the above 5 well will have a big advantage over a 4.3 player who doesn't.

I think this is a more kick the tires signing given the one K and not a very big investment for a 5 year veteran in his prime.

I would say there's more than a "remote possibility" that Hardman doesn't make the team. He seems like a roster bubble guy to me. He hasn't had a reasonably productive season since 2021, and the Packers are likely to draft at least one wide receiver and possibly two.

Maybe Hardman could take Bo Melton's spot in the offense, which is a tiny role. Returning kicks and punts may be his best hope of making the roster, but he hasn't done much of that in the past several years. His heyday as a kick returner was his rookie season.

"CB1 is not doing kick returns,” Nixon announced to reporters in January. “That's just what it is."

Nixson is a good tackler and for that reason was great at being the # 3 slot part time CB. He didn't do bad outside last year, but being the #1 by default leaves this team in a worrisome position. Still, he's expected to get the most snaps of the CBs now and shouldn't be returning kicks except maybe the planned touchbacks/fair catches.

I see Hardman making the team and the game day roster as a PR/KR. Gute and MLF do not want Nixon and Reed returning kicks and punts due to their play on offense and defense. I do not like Nixon returning kicks because he takes too many chances thinking he will break the big one. All he is doing is not getting the ball to the 30 and taking a chance on a fumble.

As a WR Hardman does bring speed that the defense will have to account for. We could see more open up for our other receivers due to Hardman possibly getting behind the CB so the Safety will have to cover him.

It's always possible this guy becomes the next Rasul Douglas or DeVondre Campbell and has a career year for the Packers, but I certainly wouldn't count on it. He will be in a fight with Melton, Heath and any late round WRs the Packers draft just to make the roster.

Two articles on Hardman here at CHTV? We're really putting out the welcome mat for this guy. It's hard to get excited about this signing but I like having a designated return man. He didn't catch many balls in KC last year but it's an added bonus if he can also contribute to our passing attack.

I liked Mecole Hardman and Deebo Samuel from that 2019 draft class probably better than many of the other WR options for the Packers. Reason being was they both played with an electric quality, and both were considered super tough, which I felt our WR room needed badly at the time.

6 years later, I noticed Hardman suffered a couple injuries, but, he's still quite good when called upon. Did have some drop issues at KC. Devante had some with GB too. He's also bringing return abilities which are far and away better than Nixon's. Mecole Hardman doesn't look like he's lost anything from his game, and has made some rather large impacts on KC's successes while there.

I guess the two most important things from bringing Hardman to GB for me are the - veteran leadership - to help show our younger players in that WR room how it's done, and he's still a chain mover out of the slot or split wide. Plus, with 3 rings, the guy knows a thing or two about FINISHING THE JOB.

Cost effective in a big way. Low risk signing who could pay big dividends for this team. If Mecole Hardman has a career resurgence playing for the Packers, lookout.

LaFleur has to be loving his well documented Jet concept experience too. Big plus.

I saw another Packer site who thought Hardman might replace Reed in the slot; and move Reed to a wide out. Maybe that is what Gute and MLF have in mind.

With all due respect what is not to like about Hardman? He is fast, good after the catch and has reliable hands. Need I remind fans that the 2024 Packers tied for the most dropped passes in the league! I love the signing. This draft we will have the luxury of drafting the best player available. Who we draft will depend entirely on how the draft falls to us. One thing is fairly certain. We will have the opportunity to get a really great player at 23. As always, time will tell.

What it means to me is he is just a camp body at worst and at best he will compete for a 5th or 6th spot at WR for a final roster spot. What I am curious about is, if we ended up stashing him on the PS, would he get poached and would we care if he did?

Best case scenario is a Desmond Howard facsimile - now that would be wonderful !

It is possible that Hardman doesn't make the Team - but is more probable that he does - because:

First - Hardman is a risk management signing. Utilizing Hardman as a PR & KR - will lessen the exposure for potential injuries to both Reed and Nixon. So also a bit of quality assurance from Gutekunst.

Secondly - Hardman should improve the PR position - with a 2024 average of 10.2 per return v. 7.9 for Jayden Reed. In addition - he is a solid KR at 26.4 yds. per return. (Nixon's avg. was 29.3).

Thirdly - His offensive utility as a Receiver - especially for screens and jet motion plays. Also he can play both slot and boundary. If boundary - at the very least as a sacrificial X.

Fourthly - If his salary is similar to what he got paid last year in KC - 1 yr. @ 1.1M - he represents a relatively low investment - high yield signing for the Packers.

It is noteworthy that Hardman's low productivity last year was mainly due to Xavier Worthy bumping him - after being drafted in the 2nd round. (Although I'm now wondering if KC is regretting drafting Worthy after he was just arrested for domestic assault).

All things considered - I give it a better than 80% chance that Hardman will break camp with the team. Afterwards - being a useful contributor - in multiple ways - during the regular season. So while he may never be a "main meal" - his value may be more as a collation of snacks.

What Does the Mecole Hardman Signing Really Mean?

That definition has yet to be written, though there are many projections as to what it will be.

There are a number of rumors about Hardman and his lack of playing time on the Jets.

-Was there no place for him in the simplified Zack system?
-Did Gipson or Cobb beat him out for reps? (Neither of those 2 were impressive?-lol)
-They sure hurried him off the team-rumors of 'acting out' re: little playing time
-Another rumor by one of the Jets Athletic staff writers--- but I won't go there.

Inquiring minds wish to know-lol

Mecole Hardman biggest issue is injuries. He has been injured the past 3 years. Has not played a full season since 2021.

Honestly, this made the idea of taking a swing at MVS more palatable. at least he can block on the perimeter. Hardman is a redundancy and likely will be cut. The draft is the only chance left to help the wr room.

He was a legit punt returner last season: 20 returns for an average of 10.1 yards, which is better than average. But if the Packers draft a player who can return punts, Hardman will have to compete for the job. The Hardman signing does suggest that they may be done putting Jayden Reed out there to field punts.