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Patrick Mahomes Expects Big Things From Mecole Hardman This Year

Garrett Burroughs / NFL / April 19, 2022

2021 NFL Awards — No suprises here. Patrick Mahomes is the early favorite for NFL MVP. (Gregory Payan/Associated Press)

Patrick Mahomes Expects Big Things From Mecole Hardman This Season

The Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins this off-season. This team also picked up Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. But it is clear that there is a massive hole left in this offense left by Hill. But one player who should see an uptick in production this year is Meclone Hardman. The receiver said himself on Monday that he would like to see his numbers go up, especially since this is the last year of his rookie contract. What does Patrick Mahomes think?

While it will be hard to replace the production that Hill brought to this Chiefs offense, Patrick Mahomes has high expectations for Hardman and expects him to make a major leap this season.

Full quote via PFT via NBCSports.com:

“He’s a guy who has always worked hard,” Mahomes said, via John Dixon of ArrowheadPride.com. “He’s a guy who is always putting in the time, just kind of waiting for his opportunity. I mean, when you have two All-Pro Chiefs legends that are getting a lot of the catches, it’s hard to get everybody the targets that they want. But every time he’s in there and has his opportunity, he’s going 100 miles an hour — as hard as he can. So you respect guys like that. And you’re happy that he’ll have an even bigger chance — a bigger opportunity — this year.
“I expect big things from him.”

Mecole Hardman had 59 receptions for 693 yards, but only two touchdowns last season in 8 starts. While Hardman does possess elite speed that could help him fill the role Hill leaves behind, Mahomes says he doesn’t have to BE Hill.

“He doesn’t have to be Tyreek Hill,” Mahomes said. “He has to be Mecole Hardman. And I think Mecole Hardman can be a great player in this offense. He’s made a Pro Bowl already, and I think he can keep getting better and better.”