As early as rookie minicamp, reports were that receiver Mecole Hardman was raising eyebrows.
It seems as if that has continued, as Hardman — Kansas City’s top draft pick — has quickly impressed those within the Chiefs on the practice field and with his grasp of the playbook.
“He’s getting better every day,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, via the team transcript on Thursday following organized team activities. “We’re asking him to do a lot and he’s staying up on it. Sometimes he’s not quite sure and there’s a little hesitation, then the next time he runs it, he’s got it. So that’s what you’re looking for. We’ve been happy with his progress.”
Taken 56th overall in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Hardman is a speedster out of Georgia. On two occasions at the NFL Scouting Combine, he turned in sub-4.35 40-yard dash times.
With big-play potential as a receiver, he’s also certain to return kicks with the ability to change a game on special teams and has experience getting carries.
He’s joining a dynamic and versatile Chiefs offense that he seems a perfect fit for, especially considering the uncertain future of receiver Tyreek Hill.
With a plethora of packages and looks, Hardman is learning on the fly and flying around the field. He’s also quickly — as he seems to be doing with everything — developing a chemistry with Chiefs wunderkind quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“We’ve been giving him quite a few reps with Patrick and that’s the way you learn,” Reid said. “There are certain things that are finesse on this and there are certain things that you’ve got to really roll on. So, he’s sorting all that out and learning. That’s all part of the learning process. Then we’re throwing eight million coverages at him so he’s got to put that in the computer too as he goes. He’s handling it. He’s a smart kid. He’s just got to learn how we do it.”