Brian Gutekunst adds some insurance at wide receiver.
The Packers came into the offseason needing help at wide receiver, and now have addressed that need.
Check it off the list, right?
Maybe, but maybe not. Mecole Hardman is a wide receiver, sure, but he hasn’t exactly had a big statistical impact on the field the last couple of seasons. In the last two years (one of which was shortened by injury), he’s recorded just 27 catches — two more than Malik Heath in the same span.
His biggest contributions have come in the return game, where he was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2021 after taking a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. The next season, he took a punt 67 yards for a score.
Having Hardman around should at least free Jayden Reed and Keisean Nixon from their punt and kick return duties, and will bring some much-needed speed to the Packers’ wide receiver room.
The best analogue for the Hardman signing might be the Packers’ addition of Andre Dillard last year. Dillard gave the Packers insurance in case they completely struck out on offensive linemen in the draft, and Hardman could do the same for the Packers. His deal is likely going to come in at or near the league minimum, and there’s no guarantee he’ll even be on the roster for this season. He’s insurance with upside, but the upside is intriguing.
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