Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Mecole Hardman

Wednesday, March 12, 1:12 PM

Free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is signing with the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 30-year-old is set to join his fourth team in three years after posting 17 receptions on 35 targets for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight games with the New Orleans Saints to close out the 2024 campaign. MVS was originally a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USF and has totaled 205 catches for 3,566 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 106 career games. While the veteran is unlikely to be a consistent fantasy producer, he could have spike weeks in Seattle's new-look offense led by Sam Darnold. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett out of town, Valdes-Scantling could have the opportunity to start in three-wide sets from Day 1 of the 2025 NFL season.

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.