Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Mecole Hardman

Monday, March 31, 12:36 PM

When asked about potentially signing free-agent wide receiver Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "Anything's possible. That would be cool." Allen remains on the free-agent market after a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears in which he caught 70 of his 121 targets for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 starts. The Bolts took the 32-year-old veteran in the third round (76th overall) back in 2013 out of California, and he spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the team. Allen was a Pro Bowler from 2017-21 and posted six 1,000-yard seasons for the team. However, he certainly looked to have lost a step in 2024 and would not have the same kind of role if he returned to L.A. now that Ladd McConkey has taken over as QB Justin Herbert's top target in the passing game.

Tuesday, March 18, 9:06 PM

Free-agent wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman (knee) is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Hardman will take his speed to the Packers while contributing both on offense and special teams as a kick returner. The 27-year-old former second-rounder (56th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 out of the University of Georgia caught only 12 of 14 targets for 90 yards and no touchdowns while carrying the ball five times for 62 yards and a touchdown in 12 regular-season games before suffering a knee injury in December that landed him on Injured Reserve. The Packers could use the receiver depth with Christian Watson (knee) likely to miss around half of the 2025 season, but Hardman could struggle for consistent involvement in Green Bay's offense, much like he did in KC, behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.