Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Isaiah Hodgins

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.

Tuesday, January 7, 9:45 PM

The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins to a reserve/future deal. The former sixth-round pick spent the 2024 season with the New York Giants. He hauled in both his targets for 12 targets in his two appearances with the organization this season. Hodgins barely saw the field this season, but he did show flashes of potential during his 2023 campaign with the Giants. It's a low-risk move for the 49ers who might've found a decent depth option in the 26-year-old wideout. He'll get a chance to win a spot on the roster during training camp.