Former second-round draft pick Mecole Hardman is ready to step into a bigger role with the Chiefs in 2021. After the departure of wide receiver Sammy Watkins in free agency, Kansas City’s offense is looking for a consistent No. 2 option behind Tyreek Hill.



“I wanted to come in and still do what I want to do and when I’m called on perform at a high level,” Hardman said during his <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/09/mecole-hardman-wants-to-be-an-every-down-receiver-for-chiefs-in-2021/">Monday press conference</a>. “But now you come in this year, it’s more so like you can be that guy — you can go in there and be on the field every play, and you can do this and you can do that. 



Hardman continued to explain where his approach to winning the increased role.



“So I think the mindset has shifted to, I need to be that guy to be on the field at all times that they can count on — whether it’s third down, fourth down, whatever it is,” said Hardman. “So I think the mindset has just shifted a little bit to being that guy that can be out there every play rather than just when your number’s called, do what you need to do. So that’s how I look at it and I’ve just go to take that approach every day going into camp and every game.”



<h2 id="h-stepping-up">Stepping up</h2>



Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is looking for his skill players to take a step forward as the team looks to rebound after a Super Bowl loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.



Hardman had 26 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns on his way to a Super Bowl win as a rookie. He followed that up with 41 catches for 560 yards and four touchdowns last season. Over his first two seasons, Hardman played 45% of the Chiefs snaps. He made the 2019 Pro Bowl as a return specialist after averaging 26.1 yards per return with one touchdown.



Entering year three, Hardman hopes to join Hill, Travis Kelce and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in a talented group of skill position starters.



<h2>Competition</h2>



Others fighting to fill the gap left by Watkins include returning players Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle. Robinson had 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns in 2020, while Pringle finished with 13 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown



The Chiefs, under coach Andy Reid, are looking to make a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance and win their second championship over that stretch.



Image courtesy of Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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