Cowboys Draft Target: Georgia Bulldogs WR Mecole Hardman

NAME: Mecole Hardman

POSITION: Wide Receiver

SCHOOL: Georgia

CONFERENCE: SEC

CLASS: Junior

JERSEY: No. 4

RECRUITMENT RATING: 5-star

HT: 5’10”

WT: 183

D.O.B.: 3/12/97

Rushing and Receiving

Punt and Kick Returns

Highlights:

Pros:

Speed, speed, and more speed. Mecole Hardman is one of the fastest wide receivers in the 2019 draft class (4.33) and he knows how to use it effectively on all three levels of the field. His speed allows him to easily run past off coverage and capture the edge as a “gadget” player on jet sweeps, reverses, and end arounds. Dangerous with the ball in his hands and is a threat to take it to the house every time.

Shows a good combination of quickness and speed to uncover both on underneath routes and down the field. Tracks the ball well on vertical routes and easily catches the ball over his shoulder. Ability to play on the outside or in the slot, but probably better suited to play on the inside until his game develops a little more.

Natural hands catcher and has shown the ability to catch passes thrown outside his frame. Showed willingness as a blocker in Georgia’s heavy run-based offense. One of the better punt and kick returners in the nation the last few years due to his speed and elusiveness in the open field. He also offers value as a gunner on special teams. Is said to have some impressive leaping ability as well.

Cons:

Mecole Hardman is still really raw as a wide receiver prospect after making the switch from defensive back at Georgia. Still learning the nuances of the position and his route running is a work in progress. Needs to develop a more diverse route tree, it was pretty basic with the Bulldogs. Also needs to show more urgency breaking in and out of his routes.

His size is a limitation on tape. He shows the willingness as a blocker, but gets overwhelmed and out physicaled at times by bigger defensive backs. His size also hurts him in press coverage and contested catch situations. Will need to learn how to beat press coverage in order to become an effective outside receiver in the NFL.

Tends to hear footsteps causing concentration issues at times. A little too reliant on his natural God-given talent and needs to fine-tune several aspects of his game in order to continue his development as a WR prospect. Is a bit of a project at this stage of his career, but possesses rare speed and talent to become one of the better WRs in the 2019 draft class.

Cowboys Fit:

The Dallas Cowboys like versatility in their players and Mecole Hardman has that in spades. He has speed to burn and with the Cowboys he could fill a variety of roles as a rookie. He could be Cole Beasley’s replacement in the slot, the primary punt and kick returner, a gunner on special teams, a “gadget” player on offense (jet sweeps, reverses, end arounds), and also the much-needed deep threat they’ve been missing in the passing game.

Hardman is a player that could save the Cowboys a couple of roster spots due to all of the different roles he can play. He even has experience as a defensive back. This is a guy who reminds me a lot of Tyler Lockett, Tyreek Hill, and Desean Jackson and should be able to have the same kind of NFL success. For the Cowboys to acquire his services though they may have to use one of their Day 2 draft picks.