Pro Football Focus recently recognized some of the underrated players on each NFL team that have popped up using their advanced data and grading system.
The Kansas City Chiefs probably had a few players in consideration, but none stood out more than rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Here’s what PFF’s Anthony Treash had to say about Hardman:
The 5’10” speedster, Mecole Hardman, has been exactly what we expected during his rookie campaign: a guy who can create after the catch better than most in the league. On his 32 targets, Hardman has generated a league-best passer rating of 153.6; he’s also broken the seventh-most broken tackles (8) and produced a yards-after-the-catch average that’s two yards higher than any other wide receiver.
Everyone saw Hardman’s game-breaking speed early in the season once Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins went down with injuries. As the receiver group has returned to health, there have been calls for more touches for the Chiefs’ young receiver. Hardman has broken tackles at a crazy rate, generated the league-best passer rating on his limited opportunities and has the best yards-after-the-catch average of any receiver in the NFL. If that’s not an argument for more opportunities on offense, well, what is? Hopefully, Andy Reid can find ways to get Hardman the football down the stretch.
Do you think there are any other underrated players on the Chiefs who haven’t been getting their due? Lets us know on Facebook and Twitter.
