NFL Draft results: Chiefs select Georgia WR Mecole Hardman at No. 56

The Kansas City Chiefs swapped picks with the Los Angeles Rams to trade up and select Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman with the 56th overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Chiefs sent the 61st overall pick (second round) and 167th overall pick (fifth round) to take Hardman at 56.

The Chiefs still pick two more times (No. 61, No. 84) on Friday night.

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman

Georgia • 5’10” • 187 pounds

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

(report powered by the KC DRAFT GUIDE, published on 4/8)

EXPECTED DRAFT RANGE: Top 100

BACKGROUND: Former five-star recruit, second-team All-SEC (2018). First-team All-American as a kick returner (2018).

STRENGTHS: Explodes vertically out of horizontal breaks and changes directions without having to throttle down. Possesses the tools to be a plus route runner all throughout the route tree. Sells his routes with good shoulder misdirection and head-fakes. Really good flexibility in his hips. Can crank his body around to adjust to any ball. Has the quickness to separate on his short-to-intermediate routes, as well as the long speed to take the top off a defense. Does a nice job of tracking the ball vertically when given the chance. Offers special teams value.

WEAKNESSES: Too often, he lets the defender climb out of his back pocket and in position to make a play on the ball. Must do a better job using his body to keep the passing window open. Small catch radius. Below average at the catch point. Hands need to improve, as he struggled with drops at times.

HOW HE FITS WITH THE CHIEFS: Hardman fits the mold of what the Chiefs have done in the past at the wide receiver position. Undersized but electric in the mold of guys like DAT and Tyreek Hill. Hardman may be appealing to Andy Reid would he be there for them on day two. There may be some pause to continue running Tyreek Hill back to return punts after he signs his extension. Hardman would certainly be someone that could take over that role as he develops as a receiver.

PLAYER COMP: Albert Wilson

Reaction: The writing is very much on the wall for the Chiefs’ plans for Tyreek Hill. You wonder if this was their intent heading into the month, but now the Chiefs have a vertical threat to replace him. The Chiefs reportedly jumped Philadelphia to select the receiver from Georgia.

Hardman is fast. Track fast (sound familiar?). He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Hardman averaged 15.6 yards per catch his final season with Georgia and had seven touchdowns. From a vertical threat standpoint, Hardman makes a ton of sense. I don’t love the value, but the Chiefs identified a trait they desire and aggressively pursued it.

Chiefs 2019 NFL Draft picks (six picks)

• Round 2: Pick No. 56 overall — Georgia WR Mecole Hardman
• Round 2: Pick No. 63 overall — Virginia S Juan Thornhill
• Round 3: Pick No. 84 overall — Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders
• Round 6: Pick No. 201 overall — South Carolina CB Rashad Fenton
• Round 6: Pick No. 214 overall — Utah State RB Darwin Thompson
• Round 7: Pick No. 216 overall — Illinois C Nick Allegretti

Selection time limits

• Day 2: Round 2 (seven minutes per pick) • Round 3 (five minutes per pick)
• Day 3: Rounds 4-6 (five minutes per pick) • Round 7 (four minutes per pick)
• (Compensatory picks = four minutes)