Chiefs: Mecole Hardman has a huge chip on his shoulder this offseason

Mecole Hardman will be ready to breakout in 2021 after this offseason.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs will be in line to contend once again for an AFC title. The biggest difference will be who remains on the roster following their 31-9 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brett Veach will be forced to enter free agency with little cap space to contend for top names on the market. Not only could the Chiefs be without Sammy Watkins, who is expected to leave via free agency, but they also could be forced to draft his replacement.

That is if the replacement isn’t already on the roster.

Second-year wideout Mecole Hardman will be suiting up for a chance to show he’s more than just a return man who’s forced to play wide receiver. Holding a grudge after two seasons, he’s hoping to show defensive backs that he can win in coverage and be an elite pass-catcher.

“I can really run routes,” Hardman said to ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “That kind of makes me mad when people say, ‘Oh, he’s just a deep ball threat.’ I literally can run routes very well. People don’t really see it because a lot of my routes are down the field. You’ve got Travis [Kelce] and Sammy [Watkins] and Tyreek [Hill] for all that other stuff. They can do everything across the board. I can really run routes really [well]. I get out of my breaks very well.”

Is Hardman the next man up in Kansas City?

Overall, the former Bulldog has done enough to prove there’s potential as a receiver with 538 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. He’s also an elite returner when given the opportunity.

Hardman put up similar numbers in 2020, finishing with four touchdowns and 560 yards on 41 catches. All those numbers were higher than Watkins, who constantly was considered the team’s No. 2 option at receiver.

The Chiefs will have to lean into Hardman breaking out in 2021. There’s no telling if he can be the next superstar pass-catcher, but with the franchise needing to save money, this could be the best course of action.