Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Jalen Brooks

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.

Thursday, December 26, 9:41 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks (knee) was upgraded to a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. Brooks sat out of practice to begin the week after missing last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Normally, the status of Brooks isn't too important, but he could be in line for a larger workload with fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) done for the season. The 24-year-old hasn't done much this season with 11 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. He's too risky of a streaming choice to trust in important fantasy championship games this weekend.