Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Lil'Jordan Humphrey

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.

Friday, May 9, 10:22 PM

The New York Giants released wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey on Friday, a source told The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Humphrey will head right back to the free-agent market after signing with the G-Men in late March. Humphrey posted career-highs in catches (31), targets (45) and receiving yards (293) while catching one touchdown pass in 17 regular-season games (seven starts) in his second year with the Denver Broncos in 2024. The 27-year-old was set to serve as wideout depth in the Big Apple this year, but he has lost his roster spot after the Giant recently signed five undrafted rookie free-agent wideouts. Humphrey should latch on with another team as receiver depth. In six NFL seasons, Humphrey has produced only 62 receptions for 770 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 targets over 58 games played (23 starts).