Is Mecole Hardman A Good Fit For The Jets? Fantasy Football Outlook

The New York Jets are making moves. They aren't satisfied with how the 2022 season went so they are all in, on going all in.

Multiple reports have Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers being traded to New York, and that on its own makes the team's offseason a success. However, they clearly aren't satisfied and are finding ways to surround him with as many weapons as possible. One of them is former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Mecole Hardman.

Hardman signing with the Jets has fantasy fans wondering if he will make an impact in 2023. Let's take a look at the numbers and analyze what this deal means for the fantasy landscape.

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Is Mecole Hardman A Good Fit For The Jets?

Hardman signed a one-year contract with the team on Wednesday that could be worth up to $6.5 million dollars. He joins a crowded receiver room but instantly adds talent and depth to a team that is trying to build a championship roster.

The former University of Georgia product and 2019 second-round draft pick, is coming off an injury-riddled season in 2022. He played in only eight games with the Chiefs, missing most of the second half of the season with a core muscle issue. He indicated this week he is ahead of schedule following surgery to repair the injury and hopes to be fully recovered by the time OTA's start in May.

Hardman recorded only 25 receptions for 297 yards in limited action last season, but he did add six touchdowns (four receiving and two rushing scores) to his resume. If healthy, he should improve on those numbers, especially if he has one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history throwing to him. There is no question that the addition of the speedy wideout will help the offense improve, however, it will likely come in sporadic bunches and waves, and much of it could come on special teams, which could frustrate fans and fantasy managers alike.

Will Mecole Hardman Have Fantasy Value in 2023?

It's unlikely that Hardman will have anything more than a minor impact on fantasy rosters during the 2023 NFL season. If Rodgers does in fact become the Jets QB, he will have primary receiving target Garrett Wilson to throw to, along with longtime teammate, and newly acquired Allen Lazard as his secondary option.

There are also reports currently out that suggest the team still isn't done adding offensive weapons. Some have reported that Rodgers has requested the team sign Odell Beckham Jr., and if that happens, Hardman would become almost irrelevant.

With all that said, the 25-year-old does have playmaking abilities and certainly should have opportunities to contribute. However, his production won't be significant enough to warrant drafting him early, or perhaps even at all in fantasy football. There is also a strong chance he could spend much of his time returning kickoffs and punts this upcoming season, and that would translate to minimal fantasy upside.

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