Cowboys May Sign Former Chiefs Wide Receiver in Unexpected Free Agency
A former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver is one name the Dallas Cowboys might take into consideration as they look to improve their receiving group. In addition to selecting a wide receiver in the sixth round, the Cowboys visited Zay Jones only last week.
If Jones isn’t a suitable fit, they may want to consider Mecole Hardman. Hardman and former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow could be available in free agency, according to DallasCowboys.com reporter Nick Harris.
On May 9, Harris reported, “The Cowboys may also be in the market for a receiver with Zay Jones visiting this week.” “Hunter Renfrow or Mecole Hardman could provide some playmaking ability to the offense next season if Jones doesn’t work out.”
Hardman could be the most well-known of the three choices. Hardman has been extremely successful with the Chiefs and is a one-time Pro Bowler. Most famously, he was the recipient of the touchdown pass that won the game in the 2024 Super Bowl.
Nevertheless, Hardman isn’t a guaranteed choice. Red flags can be seen in his resume. He would be a good choice, though, if the Cowboys really want another new wide receiver.
Hardman with the Chiefs wins three Super Bowls.
In any case, Hardman has a track record of success. The 26-year-old receiver was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft after playing college ball at Georgia.
Pro Football Reference demonstrates that he was Kansas City’s perfect “swiss army knife.” He caught 26 catches for 538 yards (20.7 yards per reception) and six touchdowns in 2018, but he is also a skilled return man who scored a touchdown in 2018 after returning a kickoff.
Over the next two seasons, Hardman’s involvement with the Chiefs offense increased steadily. However, his output was about the same. In 2021, he had a career high of 693 receiving yards, and he has never finished a season with more than 6 touchdowns.
Even though he had a solid finish with Kansas City the previous season, his trade to the New York Jets was a bust. Hardman got a $4 million, one-year contract with the Jets, but in his six games, he managed just one reception.
After things went wrong, New York traded him to the Chiefs, where he became a hero in the team’s third championship in five years.
Cowboys May Trade Experienced WR
Brandin Cooks might be headed out, but Hardman or Jones might be headed in. As summer draws near, Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine mentioned Cooks as a possible trade option.
On May 8, Ballentine stated, “Brandin Cooks is a good receiver but his best chance at holding an NFL record is to get traded one more time.” He is presently tied for the league record for most trades made since 1980 with Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.If the deal was made after June 1, the Cowboys would avoid paying $8 million against the 2024 salary cap by dealing away the seasoned receiver.
Given Dallas’s limited cap space, this might be the best course of action. Cooks should only be traded, though, if there is a better option available. Regarding resemblances, however, Cooks’ repertoire seems to fall somewhere between Jones and Hardman.
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