New Packers WR Mecole Hardman could be Tyler Ervin 2.0
They might play different positions, but don't be surprised if receiver Mecole Hardman -- who agreed to join the Green Bay Packers on a one-year deal, per ESPN -- ends up being Tyler Ervin 2.0 for coach and playcaller Matt LaFleur in 2025.
Hardman, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has to make the roster first, but his skill set reflects an ideal fit as a gadget weapon on offense and returner on special teams -- just like Ervin provided in Green Bay between the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Hardman is listed at 5-10 and 187 pounds. Ervin is 5-10 and 185. Ervin ran 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Hardman blazed through the event at 4.33 seconds, suggesting he could be a supercharged version of Ervin.
Last season, Hardman did almost all his work for the Kansas City Chiefs as a pre-snap motion man and behind the line passing target. He caught 12 passes, but his average depth of target was behind the line of scrimmage. His speed, vision and wiggle as a runner help create a potentially dynamic YAC threat. The Chiefs threw him quick screens and pop passes and sprinkled in a few rushing attempts off jet motion. LaFleur's offense is dense in pre-snap motion and gadget plays, making Hardman an easy fit in this specific but important role. And having Hardman available to run some of the staple jet motion plays could free up Jayden Reed to be a more static, traditional receiver.
The LaFleur offense has a long history using this type of player. It began with Ervin, but also included Tavon Austin, Amari Rodgers, Reed and even Bo Melton.
Don't expect Hardman to take over as the Christian Watson vertical threat. Despite having elite speed, Hardman is undersized and not a contested-catch winner. He is best when allowed to run away from man coverage on drags, deep crossers and deep corners or blaze outs. Again, this is a fit with LaFleur, even if Hardman doesn't solve the Watson issue and likely won't be used as a high snap count or high volume receiver.
The Packers appear to be entering a new chapter at returner, and now Hardman can provide a legitimate option. Jayden Reed (punt returns) and Keisean Nixon (kick returns) are transitioning into big, important positions and can no longer be asked to be full-time returners. Hardman has returned 45 career kickoffs and 89 career punts. He was an All-Pro return specialist in 2019, has a punt and kickoff return touchdown in his NFL career and is coming off a season in which he averaged over 10 yards per punt return.
If nothing else, Hardman is a young, experienced and athletic form of competition for Melton, who has operated as somewhat of a gadget receiver at times over the last two years. Hardman and Melton have similar skill sets and could compete for a roster spot this summer. And in no way should Hardman stop the Packers from picking a receiver in the draft come April.
Final thoughts: Don't expect Hardman to fix what ails the Packers in the passing game, but if he wins a roster spot, he could play a specific role for LaFleur in 2025. Like Ervin a few years back, Hardman has unique versatility as a pre-snap mover who can legitimately threat the edges of defenses but also make things happen with the ball in his hands on designed touches. His biggest contribution in 2025 might be as a returner, both in terms of creating a few big plays with his speed and vision but also protecting Reed and Nixon from injury and overuse. Hardman isn't a splash signing, and it's hard to say he'll be guaranteed a roster spot come September, but his unique skill set and fit in Green Bay -- likely as a supercharged form of Ervin -- makes sense in terms of building out a 53-man roster and a plan on offense and special teams.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: New Packers WR Mecole Hardman could be Tyler Ervin 2.0
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