NFL rumors: Former Chiefs player recruiting Mecole Hardman to AFC rival

Could Mecole Hardman leave the Chiefs for the Browns? Juan Thornhill is doing his best to recruit the Georgia product to Cleveland.

With JuJu Smith-Schuster now in New England, the Kansas City Chiefs can easily afford to bring back Mecole Hardman, should they choose.

Smith-Schuster earned around $11 million per season with the Patriots, which was slightly under his expected value per Spotrac. Could the same be true for Hardman?

If that’s the case, then perhaps Hardman could be signed to a multiyear deal worth under his $10 million expected value. He’d be wise to stay in Kansas City with an organization which understands best how to optimize his skillset. The Browns are, well, the Browns. Sorry Juan Thornhill.

Chiefs: Will Mecole Hardman sign with Cleveland Browns?

Beyond Amari Cooper, Cleveland’s receiving corps is thin. They could definitely use a player like Hardman, who has experience playing with an elite quarterback in Patrick Mahomes.

Cleveland hopes they can find similar levels of success with Deshaun Watson, though they’re far off at this point.

Dawg Pound Daily’s Randy Gurzi commented on Hardman’s fit with the Browns:

“With those moves in the rear view mirror, the Browns now need to turn their attention to the receiving corps. Right now, they have two solid starters with Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones but they need a trusted WR3, preferably one that shines in the slot.

Enter Hardman, who is a speedster that can do plenty of damage from that position. He’s also a valuable return man and while Jakeem Grant is in Cleveland, Hardman would be insurance should he suffer another injury.”

Kansas City should still be the favorite to re-sign Hardman, especially if they make him a priority given Smith-Schuster decision on Wednesday. KC needs wide receiver depth, too.