Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or KJ Hamler

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 28, 7:27 PM

The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that they signed running back Frank Gore Jr., wide receivers Tyrell Shavers, KJ Hamler and Jalen Virgil, cornerbacks Te'Cory Couch and Daequan Hardy, offensive lineman Mike Edwards, offensive tackle Richard Gouraige and defensive tackle Zion Logue to Reserve/Futures Deals. Gore, the son of NFL star RB Frank Gore, went undrafted out of Southern Mississippi in 2024 before latching on with the Bills. The 22-year-old spent most of the year on the practice squad but was active in Week 6 against the New York Jets, although he didn't play a snap. Hamler, a former second-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2020 out of Penn State, spent all year on Buffalo's practice squad. The 25-year-old is a speedy deep threat but has been limited by injuries. He has 42 receptions for 620 yards and three TDs on 80 targets in his three seasons with Denver.