{"id":116725,"date":"2021-06-18T10:20:57","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T14:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=116725"},"modified":"2021-06-18T10:20:57","modified_gmt":"2021-06-18T14:20:57","slug":"mecole-hardman-kansas-city-chiefs-minicamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/06\/18\/mecole-hardman-kansas-city-chiefs-minicamp\/","title":{"rendered":"Mecole Hardman Drawing Praise At Kansas City Chiefs Minicamp"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time since entering the league, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman has a clear path to a starting role. Originally drafted during the height of the Tyreek Hill controversy, the second-round pick has largely been a gadget player behind Hill and Sammy Watkins. However, with Watkins in Baltimore<\/a> and no replacement to be found, Hardman has a chance to win a starting job with a strong offseason. He appears to be well on his way to reaching that goal, as head coach Andy Reid and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu both said that Hardman is having an impressive minicamp.<\/p>\n

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Kansas City Chiefs Minicamp Notes: Mecole Hardman Impressing Early<\/h2>\n

Throughout the course of camp, Hardman has usually lined up<\/a> against Mathieu. The three-time All-Pro reports that this isn\u2019t a coincidence, saying that \u201ceach and every practice, [Hardman] is trying to find me \u2013 and I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s a compliment or disrespect.\u201d<\/p>\n

The safety also added that Hardman appears hungrier than ever and appears to have his head in a better place. Mistakes are inevitable in the game of football, and Mathieu said that Hardman is more willing to move on to the next play rather than hang his head and focus on the negative.<\/p>\n

Hardman has also made a good impression on his coaches during the past few days of work. Speaking to reporters, head coach Andy Reid said that \u201cyears help improvement at [the wide receiver] position\u201d and that \u201ca whole lot goes into the learning process there.\u201d Reid went on to add that he likes the receivers the team currently has, implying that the decision to not bring in outside help stemmed from a confidence in the previously-rostered players.<\/p>\n

Hardman might have first dips at the starting position, but he still has a ways to go before earning a three-down snap share. During that same interview, Reid said that the wide receiver room \u201cmight be by committee\u201d and that the Chiefs have \u201ca good nucleus of wide receivers\u201d.<\/p>\n

What This Means For Hardman<\/h4>\n

Throughout his first two years in the league, Mecole Hardman has been one of the most dangerous players in the league with the ball in his hands. His 16.4 yards per reception speaks for itself, and he has one of the highest passer ratings when targeted. However, getting him the ball in the first place has been something of an issue. The speedy receiver only has 67 receptions through his first two years in the league, with a good percentage of those coming of schemed targets.<\/p>\n

If Hardman can truly take the next step and develop as a route runner, then Kansas City could have the most dangerous wide receiver duo in the league. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are simply uncoverable, and Hardman\u2019s speed makes him a scoring threat every time he touches the ball. If he has finally learned the nuances of the position, then he could be one of the most effective third options in football.<\/p>\n

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Mecole Hardman averaged 47.8 yards per catch on his 6 TDs as a rookie<\/p>\n

Highest of all NFL players with 4+ TDspic.twitter.com\/iZSt6zkhqw<\/a><\/p>\n

— PFF (@PFF) May 14, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n