While the New York Jets are still working on completing a deal with the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers, they continue adding pieces to upgrade their roster. They have once again dipped into the wide receiver market, coming away with another weapon for whoever is the starting quarterback in 2023.
New York has agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with wide receiver Mecole Hardman, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs. Hardmen spent four seasons with the Chiefs after being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Hardman is the latest addition to what will be a revamped Jets’ wide receiver group. Earlier in free agency, they made a splash by signing Allen Lazard away from the Packers on a four-year, $44 million deal.
Minutes prior to the Hardman deal being announced, it was shared that the Jets completed a trade. Elijah Moore was traded to the Cleveland Browns, along with a third-round pick, in exchange for a second-round pick.
Moore requested a trade last season but it was not honored. Now that he is on the move, it could mean that defending Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson is the only Jets receiver back in 2023 from 2022. There have been rumors Corey Davis could be a cap casualty and the team already moved on from Braxton Berrios as well.
Hardman should be able to slide right into the spot that Moore held in the lineup. He has blazing speed, which the Jets could certainly use more of, and should be a nice weapon for Nathaniel Hackett to work into the offense.
In 2022, Hardman dealt with some injuries but was a versatile weapon being deployed all over the formation. He was very useful around the red zone, as the Chiefs drew up numerous plays for him en route to six scores despite playing in only eight games.
While a quarterback upgrade is what the Jets sought most, it is clear they also felt the wide receiver spot needed to be revamped. They may not be done, either, as Rodgers would like them to pursue Randall Cobb and Odell Beckham Jr. as well.
