The Buffalo Bills came up short at the recently passed NFL trade deadline, but made another late addition when they signed former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
Hardman brings some versatility and a veteran presence to a wide receiving corps that has struggled at times this season, and head coach Sean McDermott hinted this week that the Bills may find some creative ways to utilize Josh Allen’s new target.
Bills Looking to Use Mecole Hardman’s Speed
General manager Brandon Beane put together a wide receiving corps filled with physical wide receivers with blocking versatility, but the group has struggled to get separation and left Allen facing mounting pressure from opposing defenses.
McDermott hinted that the speedy Hardman can change that dynamic a bit, giving the Bills a deep threat who can keep opposing defenses honest. The Bills head coach also implied that the Bills may find some creative ways to use Hardman, similar to the way they utilized receivers like Isaiah McKenzie in the past.
âExcited about that,â McDermott said of Hardman’s signing, via the Buffalo News. âYou look at position flexibility, he brings some of that. The speed element is real, having gone against him. He hasnât played in a little bit of time here, so we have to take it one day at a time, but Iâm really interested in seeing how heâs going to help us.â
Hardman is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, racking up 2,302 career yards with 16 touchdowns.
The vetearn receiver said he’s excited for his new opportunity in Buffalo.
“Iâm glad to be here and they welcomed me with open arms, so Iâm happy about that,” Hardman said, via Buffaloâs WGZR. “Theyâre definitely joking with me about the past matches that we had in the years, but itâs fun. Iâm enjoying it ⦠Iâm happy that they called and gave me a chance and opportunity, so Iâm grateful for that.â
Bills May Need Some Immediate Help
It was not yet clear whether the Bills planned to elevate Hardman from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the team may be in need of some help. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir was limited in practice this week after suffering an injury in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, while tight end Dalton Kincaid was ruled out.
Kincaid had suffered a hamstring injury last week, leaving the Bills without their most productive pass-catcher.
McDermott said the team would need more contributions from across their tight end room to make up for Kincaid’s absence.
“I think it’s going to take everybody [to replace Kincaid],” McDermott said, via ESPN. “I think Josh will help fill that void. Dalton’s going to be tough to replace in terms of that, but yeah, I mean, it’s going to take everybody to step up and make plays. It’s going to take Dawson [Knox] and [Jackson] Hawes stepping up and making plays, which I know they’re extremely capable of doing. I’ve got a lot of trust in both those guys.”
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