If you rewind back to the 2019 NFL Draft it’s clear the Chiefs were trying to accomplish one thing: draft the next Tyreek Hill. Tyreek was in hot water at the time so the Chiefs took their chances with a smaller, fast WR from Georgia named Mecole Hardman.
Hardman has been oft-criticized throughout his first three years in the NFL as many believe he has failed to live up to his potential. On Tuesday, Hardman took to Twitter to attempt to throw shade at his many detractors.
Mecole Hardman’s strange Tweet
Hardman basically says that the vitriol that he receives from fans is unwarranted because he plays with two great players in Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. If only someone would tell all the Cincinnati Bengals receivers that they are not all supposed to be good. This seems like a completely weak argument. An inside source within the Chiefs organization recently mentioned that Hardman does not put in the work necessary to be great. He’s not in to the small details like becoming an elite route runner.
Hardman should be D.K. Metcalf
The Chiefs panicked in 2019 and tried to draft a Tyreek Hill clone when they should have taken Metcalf, who has proven himself to be among the league’s best through three seasons. D.K. was taken just 8 picks after Hardman in that draft. Metcalf has 3,100 yards receiving thus far and 29 touchdowns. Hardman, meanwhile has only managed 1,791 yards and 12 touchdowns during that time. In fact, Hardman was targeted 83 times in 2021 which is a career high. The Chiefs are becoming more adept at putting him in successful situations as a gadget player.
2022 will be a very interesting season in that it’s a contract year for Mecole. Thus far, it’s safe to say he has not earned a large second contract but improved play could land him a gig elsewhere in 2023 or a team-friendly deal to stay in KC but he clearly needs to become more self-aware about his play.
