Assessing the Chiefs' Mecole Hardman Conundrum

Mecole Hardman has been a part of two Super Bowl teams for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was returned to help the team capture its third title in five years. His first two playoff games during this postseason have been a struggle for him. 

Throughout his career, Hardman has been inconsistent. Typically, that's not the type of player you want to rely on in the most significant moments. However, to reach their ultimate goal, the Chiefs may have to ride with Hardman through the down times to experience the ups.

Hardman has had seven opportunities to touch the ball between playoff games against the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. His stats are as follows:

• 2 targets
• 2 receptions
• 5 receiving yards
• 2 rushing attempts
• -5 rushing yards
• 2 fumbles

Both of Hardman's catches came on passes behind the line of scrimmage. Hardman either didn't track the ball, gave up on the play early, or both on each of the three downfield targets (one doesn't go on the stat sheet because of a penalty). It was a significant problem in the Dolphins game, where he potentially missed on multiple touchdowns because of his inconsistency. Against the Bills, Hardman had his only two touches in the red zone and fumbled on both opportunities. Luckily for the Chiefs, neither ended up costing them the game, but they could have.

Kansas City cannot afford to have these mistakes happen in the AFC Championship Game and, possibly, the Super Bowl. However, they also can't stop using Hardman because of the unique skill set he brings. He is the only true speedster on the roster. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson are relatively fast but don't have the initial burst that Hardman possesses. That speed puts fear in defenses vertically and horizontally, especially when Hardman is in pre-snap motion.

This was on display on the Chiefs' first touchdown on Sunday against the Bills. Hardman motions over from the right side of the formation to the left to create a three-man bunch set on that side. It looks like the Bills are in a Cover 3 defense. When the ball is snapped, Hardman already has a running start. With his speed, the corner becomes afraid of him on the speed out for quick and easy yards. He is supposed to be covering the deep third in Cover 3 but bites down on the speed of Hardman going horizontally. This allows Travis Kelce to sneak behind Buffalo's defense for a wide-open score.

Speed and the ability to create explosives will always terrify defenses. It's why the rise of the two-high shells has been so prominent in recent years. Hardman has the speed to threaten defenses and put them in the deep shell coverage. That opens up more space underneath for Kelce and Rashee Rice to operate. Those are the guys the Chiefs want to funnel their passing game through, so having space for them is critical.

Throughout the entire year, the Chiefs have shown patience with their receivers. It would have been easy to phase out Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Valdes-Scantling. However, they stuck with them, and Valdes-Scantling made big plays in Buffalo this past weekend. They are now in a similar spot with Hardman during the most critical part of the season. 

Kansas City probably understands his inconsistencies but also acknowledges they need the specific trait Hardman brings because no one else on the roster possesses it. The Chiefs will hope that giving him chances will pay off in a few big plays soon.