All eyes have been on Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden, and for good reason.
The first-round draft choice with 4.29 speed has the opportunity to be a gamebreaker and difference-making talent in quarterback Jordan Love’s arsenal and a focal point of the Packers’ offense.
However, at a crowded position group that also includes the likes of veterans Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson and fellow rookie Savion Williams, reps, regular-season snaps, and roster spots could be hard to come by.
There might even be a trade in the weeks and months ahead, of Golden looks capable of climbing the depth chart during training camp and the preseason later this summer.
However, Mecole Hardman isn’t just hanging on for dear life, he’s impressing during OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring.
Mecole Hardman impressing at Packers minicamp
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Hardman made one of the most impressive plays of the spring this week, hauling in a 79-yard touchdown.
That’s the kind of play that turns heads, and impresses coaches to the point of not just pushing a player up a depth chart but perhaps pounding the table to keep when difficult roster decisions need to be made in late August.
“Just the opportunity is good enough for me,” Hardman told reporters, “and I just gotta go out there and take advantage of it.”
Hardman, 27, caught 12 passes for 90 yards with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, and while he boasts 16 career touchdown catches it is his Super Bowl experience and leadership that could make him most valuable to a young receiving corps.
The Packers are going to have some difficult decisions to make, but Hardman seems to have gotten off on the right foot this spring, when called upon.
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