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Mecole Hardman Jr. 2023 NFL Player Outlook: Ready To Become Jets Secret Weapon
1 year agoNew York Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman (groin) has been overlooked as a critical signing for the AFC East franchise. While the focus has been on the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers in New York, Hardman has gone under the radar as a player who could have a big season with the Jets. The speedy wide receiver is coming off a Super Bowl-winning campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he missed the majority of the season due to an abdominal injury, but he will be locked in to prove his worth to his new team. Hardman signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Jets this past offseason, and he would love to have a big season to get a bigger contract next year. The 25-year-old caught 25 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns over eight games for the Chiefs. Hardman will be behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard in the pecking order for the Jets, and New York also has Randall Cobb and Corey Davis on the WR depth chart. His explosiveness could help him make a significant impact considering Rodgers is the quarterback. Hardman underwent surgery to repair a core muscle but is expected to be ready for training camp. He will undoubtedly have higher production this upcoming season if he stays healthy. The former Kansas City Chief will be the team's primary punt returner and could be utilized as a gadget player in 2023. Hardman is ranked 77th in the latest RotoBaller wide receiver rankings, and that number could rise if he can secure the Jets WR3 role.
