Green Bay Packers Veteran Mecole Hardman Welcomes Roster Spot Battle with 2 Youngsters

As a member of the Chiefs, new Green Bay Packers receiver Mecole Hardman partook in four Super Bowls and won three rings. Amidst fans’ urgings to pursue bigger names (Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, even Davante Adams), the Packers made Hardman their biggest receiver signing of the offseason, bringing in a solid veteran insurance option to supplement their young corps of targets.

In the draft, they also brought in receivers Matthew Golden (23rd overall) and Savion Williams (87th). Even with Christian Watson likely out to begin the season, the receiver room will be full of competition to determine who gets Week 1 reps. For his part, Hardman welcomes the challenge of carving out a roster spot amidst a talented pool of options.

Hardman Must Outplay Number of Younger Teammates, Including This Year’s Draft Picks, To Earn a Spot

Aside from a brief stint with the Jets, Hardman has spent his entire career in Kansas City. The vibe will be a bit different over in Green Bay, where he is the oldest wide receiver on the roster.

Specializing as a Swiss Army knife or “gadget” receiver with the Chiefs, Hardman returned kickoffs and punts and got involved in the ground game on sweep-tosses and end-arounds. Including the playoffs, he has 39 career carries for 295 yards and four touchdowns to go with a pair of return scores.

As a route runner, Hardman peaked in 2021 with 59 catches for 693 yards. After flashing big-play potential as a rookie (20.7 yards per catch, six touchdowns), he never quite settled into a traditional receiver role. The past two seasons, he has caught a combined 27 passes on only 38 targets, averaging under eight yards per reception. His production has dropped despite fewer established targets for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to rely on.

Green Bay Packers Stint a New Chapter for Hardman, But He’s Been Here Before

He won’t be competing with player profiles like Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce in Green Bay, but Hardman might struggle to find footing in the Packers’ deep, if non-elite talent pool. Be that as it may, he isn’t daunted.

“I’ve been in the league seven years, so I’ve never been the type to shy away from competition,” he told the media on Wednesday. “Myself, I’ve been in stacked rooms before. Our job as receivers is to make it hard for the coaches to make a decision.”

Despite its youth, the Packers receiver room is a crowded one: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Golden and Williams will all be jostling for targets, as well as Tucker Kraft at tight end. Watson should also return at some point.

With last year’s core all slated for similar roles this season, Hardman’s biggest rivals for snaps will likely be the two draft picks and fringe guys like Melton.

But the 27-year-old is confident in his skillset. “I can do a lot. Bring speed to the offense, whether it’s the gadget plays or the deep balls down the field, the screen game, YAC … I’ve shown that over the years that once you get the ball in my hands, I can make things happen.”

On a young offense without a clear WR1, the Packers could certainly find a place Hardman’s versatility and veteran experience.