Mecole Hardman's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was the team leader in targets in Thursday's preseason loss to the visiting Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium, but he only hauled in one of his four passes for six yards in the defeat. Hardman brought in a short six-yard reception from backup quarterback Chris Oladokun in a goal-to-go situation in the second quarter on Thursday against the Bears. After catching the game-winning pass for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Hardman is back to provide the club with some depth in the receiving corps, and there's not much reason to believe he won't be a part of the 53-man roster. The 26-year-old veteran deep threat isn't likely to play many snaps when KC's receiving corps is healthy, but he could see some more action in the early going with Marquise Brown (shoulder) currently sidelined.

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. on Thursday, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 26-year-old will return for his sixth season with the organization after catching the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers. While Hardman hasn't been a superstar since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he has caught the third-most touchdowns (16) from Patrick Mahomes, trailing only Travis Kelce (47) and Tyreek Hill (43). Mahomes and the Chiefs trusted him in a crucial moment in the Super Bowl, so he'll likely earn snaps in 2024. Given the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice's legal troubles, Kansas City has now drafted Xavier Worthy and brought back Hardman. Hardman has hauled in 166 passes for 2,212 yards and 16 touchdowns through his first 68 career games.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. played the role of hero for his team in Super Bowl LVIII, reeling in the game-winning touchdown from three yards out to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22. Hardman pulled in each of his three targets for 57 yards in Sunday's big game, also coming down with a 52-yard bomb to get the Chiefs into a goal-to-go during the second quarter. After playing just one snap in the AFC Championship win over the Baltimore Ravens, the 25-year-old stepped up as a deep threat when it mattered most for a Chiefs offense desperate for playmaking down the field all year long. Though he authored quite a feel-good story going from a New York Jets castoff to catching a championship-winning TD, Hardman's Super Bowl heroics are unlikely to make him worth rostering in the majority of 2024 fantasy drafts. Whether it's back with K.C. or another squad, the former Pro Bowl kick returner should find a home next season.