Wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Is Mecole Hardman a perfect fit for Giants?

By Anthony Rivardo | Last updated 3/14/23

The New York Giants could target under-the-radar Chiefs free-agent WR Mecole Hardman. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has a connection to Hardman, having formerly being part of the Chiefs' offensive coaching staff from 2017-21.

CBS Sports' Jared Rubin laid out his case for naming Hardman a perfect fit with the Giants, citing the relationship between Hardman and Kafka as well as Hardman's skillset and the roster makeup in New York.

Hardman, 25, could also massively upgrade both the Giants' receiving corps and their special teams unit. Hardman has been returning kicks and punts for Kansas City since his 2019 rookie season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and was named a second team All-Pro in 2019 after totaling 1,426 all purpose yards as a rookie.

Mecole Hardman : 1 catch for 30 yards & a 104-yard kick return for a touchdown pic.twitter.com/sDosBl1WHp
— Lee Harvey (@AyeThatsLee) December 29, 2019

Hardman was hampered with injuries for the majority of the 2022 season, playing in only eight games and returning only six punts. He still managed to total 25 receptions, 297 receiving yards and four touchdowns in those eight games, proving to still be an efficient player when on the field.

Throughout his career, Hardman has 23.8 yards per kick return and 9.0 yards per punt return. He has scored twice on returns and racked up 3,695 all purpose yards in the first four seasons of his career.

Hardman is looking to play an expanded role in 2023 and the Giants could give him that opportunity.

"I feel like in games in the past when I have had eight-plus targets, I think I've averaged over 90 yards every time I had eight-plus targets," Hardman explained on The Schultz Report. "So it's like, I know I can do some things when I get targets, you know what I'm saying? So maybe getting more of a role, I can get that consistently throughout a year and see what it leads to."

New York is searching for a high-volume playmaker to add to their receiving corps. However, the team is also in need of a new return specialist. Richie James fumbled twice on punt returns last season and Adoree' Jackson missed seven games after getting injured on a punt return. Hardman is one of the better return specialists in the NFL, so he could fill both needs for the Giants if signed in free agency.

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