Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Nick Nash

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.

Wednesday, April 30, 1:11 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Nick Nash, who signed as an undrafted free agent out of San Jose State, could find himself in the team's receiver rotation in 2025 after leading all FBS pass-catchers in 2024 in catches (104), touchdowns (16) and receiving yards (1,382). The converted quarterback played half of his 2,169 collegiate snaps under center, giving him a unique perspective at the receiver position. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder gives QBs a wide catch radius, but for now, excelling on special teams could be his ticket to the main roster. He's old for a rookie at 26 years old and is relatively new to the receiver position, too, so at best, Nash will probably work in four- or five-receiver sets for the Falcons behind Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud III and Darnell Mooney. He'll have to make up for his lack of long speed with his size and precise route-running.