Yahoo Sports With Tyreek Hill's future in doubt, did the Chiefs draft his replacement in Mecole Hardman Jr.?
Earlier Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs addressed the situation with their problematic receiver Tyreek Hill with a milquetoast statement that ended with the team saying they would “make the right decision” regarding Hill, who is currently suspended.
While the right decision is to cut Hill, did the Chiefs signal that they will move on from him with their first draft pick on Friday night?
WR Mecole Hardman drafted at No. 56
Kansas City drafted Georgia receiver Mecole Hardman with the 56th pick in Round 2 of the NFL draft. Hardman, who is 5-foot-10, 187 pounds, ran the second-fastest 40 among wideouts at the scouting combine, 4.33 seconds.
Yahoo Sports draft expert Eric Edholm wrote of Hardman:
Hardman emerged the past two seasons as a major offensive threat. Hardman’s raw speed made him a danger on kick returns (25-yard average) and punt returns (15-yard average, one TD), and he started to translate that on offense, even in a run-heavy system.
The coaches tried to expand his role, using Hardman on jet sweeps and end arounds as well as his increased work as a receiver. He hits top gear quickly, as seen in his 4.33-second 40-yard dash (which actually angered Hardman, who thought he would run faster). Hardman can be used on screens, and he shows surprising toughness running in traffic, as well as ‘go’ routes where he flashes a strong ability to track the ball downfield.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid downplayed the connection between Hardman and Hill’s skills.
“We like his speed. But it’s more than that. He can play inside and play outside; he did both at Georgia,” Reid said. “Doesn’t have anything to do with what’s going on now.”
The Georgia native could also be a gunner and kick returner in the NFL.
Will this spell the end for Hill?
Hill, who was chosen for the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons, has been a versatile offensive weapon for Kansas City.
But police on Friday reopened the criminal investigation of child abuse on Hill; Hill and fiancee Crystal Espinal have a 3-year-old son, and the boy has a broken arm. Investigators have been trying to figure out how it was broken.
Kansas City station KCTV5 released audio on Thursday of a conversation between Hill and Espinal, recorded by Espinal. As part of the exchange, Espinal says their son is “terrified” of Hill, and Hill responds, “You should be terrified of me too, bitch.”
Hill was arrested in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in December 2014 for domestic assault and battery against Espinal. He pleaded guilty to punching her in the face and stomach, and choking her. She was pregnant at the time.
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