Who Should I Start? Noah Brown or Mecole Hardman

Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (kidney) was cleared two weeks ago to beginning working out this offseason after he missed the end of the 2024 campaign due to a kidney laceration that he suffered in early December in Week 12. Brown had a strong first season in Washington in 11 games (nine starts), catching 35 of his 56 targets for 453 yards, with his only touchdown coming on a dramatic and successful Hail Mary to help beat the Chicago Bears. "I feel like I'm built for this, and I'll come back stronger," Brown said. The 29-year-old was re-signed to a one-year deal to return to D.C. for the 2025 season, but it will be harder for him to make an impact in fantasy after Washington traded for Pro Bowl pass-catcher Deebo Samuel Sr. Brown should still have a role in the Commanders' offense, but as things currently stand, he's looking like more of a WR5/6 in deeper fantasy leagues.

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.