Mecole Hardman proves his speed is no joke in 40-yard dash

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: Mecole Hardman #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: Mecole Hardman #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Just in case you forgot just how fast Mecole Hardman was for some reason, the K.C. Chiefs wide receiver recently stepped out for a 40-yard dash challenge against a few other NFL players to see who was the fastest. On Thursday, the results were posted and Hardman used it as a good chance to remind us all of what he’s capable of.

The set-up came one day earlier from Bleacher Report who posted that Hardman was going to be facing off against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White to see who would win.

On Thursday, the Chiefs posted the final totals with Hardman in the lead over Huggs by a few milliseconds.

Hardman’s ability to get the best of a top-flight speedster like Ruggs—a player who was so fast that he was selected atop the wide receiver class of a loaded 2020 NFL Draft—is notable, even though this is nothing more than an offseason foot race. For fans who have expected more production from Hardman in his second season in the league, the third-year wideout has been largely overlooked within the Chiefs offense in terms of future expectations. Either that, or the conversation around him has turned sour as the Chiefs don’t seem keen on leaning on him as a reliable target apart from scripted plays.

Here, however, we see that Hardman’s world class speed is a notable weapon on its own and even if the Chiefs have to manufacture touches for him, it’s the sort of wild card that should allow us to appreciate his offensive impact even if some thought he might be used in a different way.

So far in his two year NFL career, Hardman has 67 catches on 103 targets for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has two touchdowns as a returner for the Chiefs. Expect the Chiefs to continue to put Hardman in positions where his speed can be utilized best and for the occasional long play to remind us all that his speed is even elite compared to his fellow players.

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