Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Michael Woods II

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, May 29, 6:27 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Michael Woods II (knee) was seen taking part in Wednesday's voluntary organized team activities. Woods did not play in the team's Week 18 regular-season finale last year against the Baltimore Ravens due to a knee injury, but the 25-year-old appears to be fully recovered and a full-go heading into the 2025 season this fall. The former sixth-rounder (202nd overall) in 2022 out of Oklahoma had only five catches for 45 yards in 10 games (no starts) in his rookie season in 2022, didn't play at all in 2023, and caught seven of 17 targets for 65 yards and no touchdowns in just five games (two starts) last season. The Browns have opportunity in their receiving corps behind Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, but Woods will merely be competing with Diontae Johnson, Jamari Thrash, David Bell and DeAndre Carter for a depth role. He's not on the fantasy radar right now.