Mecole Hardman returns to Chiefs ... again

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Likely none.

You might remember that Hardman tallied 3 receptions for 57 yards and a TD in the Super Bowl win over the 49ers. His previous nine games back with the Chiefs last season included just 16 total receptions -- and six of those came in a meaningless Week 18 that found QB Blaine Gabbert starting.

Even before he left, Hardman topped out at 3.5 receptions per game (in 2021) and then slipped to 3.1 in his final K.C. campaign. His average target depths have declined, including a career-low 5.1 yards for last year's Chiefs stint, according to Pro Football Focus.

This year's Chiefs have imported WR Marquise Brown and first-round WR Xavier Worthy to accompany 2023 breakout WR Rashee Rice (pending off-field issues).

There will probably be best ball drafters who play "what if" with Hardman in the final rounds. Don't be one of them -- even if you have Patrick Mahomes.

Dynasty Impact

Nope. That Hardman lingered nearly three months on the open market ahead of his age-26 season shows you where the former second-round pick's career stands.

Other Winners & Losers

Hardman's return figures to most heavily impact WR Kadarius Toney and WR Skyy Moore. It'll be tough for all three of those guys to make the regular-season roster. Hardman did play ahead of both in the Super Bowl. But none is anywhere close to a sure thing.

Rankings Movement

Hardman and any other Chiefs WR beyond Rice, Brown, and Worthy figure to sit in irrelevant range of the WR rankings throughout the summer.