The Green Bay Packers are making moves to get better for 2025 and their latest addition—former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman– could help in many ways. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Hardman is signing a one year deal with the Packers and brings speed, versatility and special teams value to Green Bay.
This isn’t the big splash fans were hoping for but it’s clear Hardman can fill several roles on offense and special teams. Let’s get into the three ways he can help and how this affects Jayden Reed.
1. Speed to Stretch the Field
Filling the Void Left by Christian Watson
With Christian Watson out at least the early part of the 2025 season due to injury, the Packers needed someone who could stretch the field. Hardman isn’t Watson but he has one thing in common with him—game-breaking speed.
Hardman showed off his explosiveness with a 4.33 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine and he can beat man coverage. Among the Packers current receivers, Hardman has the highest career PFF grade against man coverage (72.33) and yards per route run (1.97 Y/RR).
For comparison:
- Romeo Doubs: 1.05 Y/RR, 65.2 PFF grade vs. man
- Dontayvion Wicks: 1.39 Y/RR, 63.9 PFF grade vs. man
- Jayden Reed: 1.34 Y/RR, 57.7 PFF grade vs. man
Hardman won’t replace Watson’s production (Watson has a 77.2 PFF grade vs. man and 2.08 Y/RR) but he brings a dynamic to the offense that’s been missing since Watson went down.
2. A Change for Jayden Reed?
Hardman vs. Reed: Who Plays Where?
The Packers now have two small receivers—Hardman and Reed—who excel in the slot. Both have similar skill sets so it will be interesting to see how Matt LaFleur uses them in 2025.
Hardman has played mostly in the slot his whole career but played more on the outside in 2024. Reed played mostly outside in college but has played mostly in the slot as a pro. Could Hardman’s arrival move Reed to the boundary more?
And Hardman’s experience with gadget plays makes him a natural for some of the things Reed has done in recent seasons. Reed has carried the ball 32 times in his two year NFL career and Hardman has 7 carries in his entire career. But with Hardman as a playmaker I wouldn’t be surprised if LaFleur uses him in those packages instead.
This opens up some interesting possibilities for mixing and matching personnel in the offense. Will Reed be the primary slot or will Hardman take that role entirely? Only time will tell.
3. Special Teams Upgrade
Return Game Revamp
Special teams has been a problem for the Packers the last few years, particularly in the return game. Jayden Reed has been handling punt returns since being drafted in 2023 and hasn’t been impressive. In 2024 he was 42nd out of 43 qualified punt returners with a 49.8 PFF grade .
Enter Hardman, whose return resume is much better. Over four seasons where he returned enough punts to qualify, Hardman averaged around 13th among punt returners with a 68.3 PFF grade . Just his presence could be a breath of fresh air for Green Bay’s stagnant return unit.
On kickoffs, things are murkier. Keisean Nixon was an All-Pro returner in 2022 but has seen his production dip significantly the last two years (60.3 PFF grade) because teams are avoiding him and poor decision making. Nixon recently said he wants to focus solely on corner and is open to not returning. Hardman isn’t elite in this area (62.2 career PFF grade) but is a serviceable option if needed.
FAQs About Mecole Hardman and His Impact on the Packers
Why did the packers sign him?
The packers needed a speed playmaker to replace Christian Watson and improve special teams. Hardman does both.
How does he compare to Jayden Reed?
Both players are versatile and can play in the slot but Hardman is faster and has more experience vs man coverage. Reed might see more outside snaps depending on how lafleur uses them.
Can he fix the return game?
Yes, Hardman is a proven punt returner and can bring stability to that spot. He’s also depth as a kick returner if needed.
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