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The Chiefs took wide receiver Mecole Hardman into the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, largely because of his speed, which was reflected in a 4.33-second 40-yard turn at the Scouting Combine. But Hardman wants to be known as more than just a fast man.
Since the Chiefs are not sure whether Sammy Watkins will return in 2021, Hardman wants to play a bigger role in the offense and show that he is a more complete receiver.
“I can really drive routes,” Hardman told ESPN. ‘It makes me angry when people say,’ Oh, he’s just a deep ball threat. “I can literally drive routes very well. People do not really see it, because many of my trails are down in the field. You have Travis [Kelce] and Sammy [Watkins] and Tyreek [Hill] for all the other things. They can do everything directly. I can really run routes [well]. I come out of my breaks very well. a lot of people [think] I can not run routes. I’m like, ‘What?’ People have the misconception that I can not drive routes. I am very able to walk every route to the tree. ”
Hardman had 538 meters as a rookie in 2019 and then with 560 meters in 2020. The Chiefs would like to see him develop into a complete receiver who can make a bigger impact than that.