Mecole Hardman gives Kansas City Chiefs another potential scoring machine

Watching anyone blow past defenders in college the way Hardman has the past few seasons in Georgia automatically elicits comparisons to the best deep threats in the pros. Drafting him after the Tyreek Hill suspension and the talk about Hardman as a replacement and comparing the two is an easy discussion point. That said, I do not believe Mecole Hardman is comparable to Tyreek Hill, and is certainly not meant to be his replacement.

Who is Mecole Hardman then? Hardman is about an inch taller than Tyreek Hill, isn’t as fast but has more contact balance. Hardman is a natural with the ball in his hands but doesn’t have the same level of agility as Hill. Hill, even in his rookie year, was much better at tracking passes and making the tough catch. Both have elite return skills. While Hardman offers some similar skills, his touches will have to be much more manufactured and we may not see him blossom into a starting wide receiver on this offense until his third year.

That doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing a lot of Mecole Hardman.

I see more Desean Jackson or Randall Cobb in Hardman, but I think the Chiefs will use him more like another speedster that has been a staple during the Reid era: De’Anthony Thomas.

Thomas never quite reached his potential, held down by injury and eclipsed by younger players in an unforgiving league. Yet, as a rookie in 2014, Thomas eclipsed 1000 all-purpose yards. Most of those yards came from punt and kick returns, but Reid gave De’Anthony Thomas the ball several times as a rusher and receiver.

I think the Chiefs see Mecole Hardman, at least for now, as what De’Anthony Thomas was supposed to be: A Swiss army knife who can be relied on to make plays as special teams and offensive weapon. He’s a player with his own special page worth of packages and play calls to get him into the open field. Especially during  his rookie year, don’t be surprised if we see Hardman put in similar positions to what Thomas saw throughout his career in Kansas City.

Hardman should develop into a better receiver than Thomas ever was, and will absolutely be insurance in the event Hill is not available for whatever reason. The former Bulldog will have a lot on his plate with special teams and offensive duties. If Hardman reaches his potential and can provide a Desean Jackson-like weapon on offense and special teams, Kansas City could have another Pro Bowl weapon for their MVP quarterback.

Rookie Year Predictions: 450+ receiving yards, 5 touchdowns, 600+ punt return yards with 2 returned for a TD, 250+ Kick Return yards, 125 rushing yards with a touchdown or two.

Rookie Year Expectations: Hardman should eclipse 1200 all-purpose yards between his duties as a receiver and returner.

Best-Case Pro Comparison: Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers