Justin Hardy...

[TmoGuru]

In my league we have to cut to 18 before the draft and I am struggling big time on Justin Hardy. I really like him with White probably on his last year but I dont know if I can wait. Also thinking a great chance I can either draft him very late with it being 7 rds or even as a free agent after rosters expand with the draft. Looking for some positives on why to keep Hardy please.

[Cherokee]

I see Hardy as your final drop.
For Postives
1.He had college production in a Ryan Broyles way
2. Seems to be smart
3. His hands are big

[Dynasty DeLorean]

He was really inconsistent last year but I did see some good things. I had him and cut him for RB fliers, sort of wish I kept him.

[TmoGuru]

What pick do you think he is worth?

[Cherokee]

[quote="TmoGuru"]What pick do you think he is
Early 4th this time of year

[Gametime675]

What pick do you think he is
Early 4th this time of year

Despite not targeting him (or anyone but Julio) consistently this season, Matt Ryan kept praising the kid as the year went on. He's a solid prospect that would never be a #1 but he could make a living as more of a possession WR with Julio drawing coverage. In PPR, with Roddy fading fast and potentially gone, I'd be all over Hardy if an opportunity presented itself. Early 4th is ridiculous, especially in what seems to be a worse class than past few years, so I would probably pay a mid-late 2nd in a 12 team league.

[Draft Master]

I would give him another season before cutting him lose, he could be the #2 on ATL.

[Coogan Football]

I absolutely loved his college tape last year and think he is in a very good spot in Atlanta, I'd definitely be keeping him with that team. Here are the 18 guys I'd be keeping if I were you:

QBs Brees,Carr
Rbs AP,David Johnson,Artis-Payne,Carey, McKinnion
Wrs Cobb,M. Bryant,J. Mathews,Diggs,Kamar,JJ Nelson,Hardy
TEs Reed,Tye,Warford
Def Seattle



Here's what I wrote on him last year:

Justin Hardy - WR- East Carolina

Very good at creating seperation but doesn't always come back to the ball on hitches and curls. He knows how to use his arms and body to get off the line when CBs are in his face at the snap. Catches the ball with his hands and looks comfortable with the ball after the catch and does it securely. Run all different kinds of routes but needs a little work on the jump balls in the endzone, he isn't too big so it makes it harder when he's the same size as the man covering him. Quicker than fast. Has a back for being patient and setting up the defense with his cuts and also when running after the catch by letting his blockers block for him. Looked comfortable returning punts and has the strength to get away from smaller defenders. Has QB missed him with overthrows on quite a few wide open routes where he easily would've had TDs.

Someone is going to get a really good player later in the draft, I like him a lot!

[Space Cowboy]

Too early to write him off but he was a major let down. That ATL offense was starving for help and he couldn't get on the field.

[Johnny Canuck]

QBs Brees,Carr
Rbs AP,David Johnson,Artis-Payne,Carey, McKinnion
Wrs Cobb,M. Bryant,J. Mathews,Diggs,Kamar,JJ Nelson,Hardy
TEs Reed,Tye,Warford
Def Seattle

I agree with this final lineup as previously mentioned

[Cherokee]

What pick do you think he is
Early 4th this time of year

Despite not targeting him (or anyone but Julio) consistently this season, Matt Ryan kept praising the kid as the year went on. He's a solid prospect that would never be a #1 but he could make a living as more of a possession WR with Julio drawing coverage. In PPR, with Roddy fading fast and potentially gone, I'd be all over Hardy if an opportunity presented itself. Early 4th is ridiculous, especially in what seems to be a worse class than past few years, so I would probably pay a mid-late 2nd in a 12 team league.

Haha! This time of year most wouldnt want to give up a 2nd. I think you are on an island here. Did you see him play?? I did and what I saw was a slow possession slot guy. No better than Amendola. He was a 3rd round rookie pick average rookie ADP and I would love to have someone convince me he has improved from that position. Atlanta will add a WR and a TE this FA/ Draft 100%. It just isnt promising. Is Roddy coming back? Its not good for Hardy IMO

[Gametime675]

Haha! This time of year most wouldnt want to give up a 2nd. I think you are on an island here. Did you see him play?? I did and what I saw was a slow possession slot guy. No better than Amendola. He was a 3rd round rookie pick average rookie ADP and I would love to have someone convince me he has improved from that position. Atlanta will add a WR and a TE this FA/ Draft 100%. It just isnt promising. Is Roddy coming back? Its not good for Hardy IMO

Granted, I didn't watch a ton of Falcons games through so I don't have first hand knowledge of "how" he played, just his stats, but it's a little unfair to write off a rookie WR coming from a small school who doesn't excel right away in the NFL. He's built to be a possession WR and has incredible hands, agility and a knack for playing the game (from college tape I watched and scouting reports). He's a slightly smaller, more athletic Jarvis Landry and Landry is doing all right for himself and he was basically their #1 WR this year. Hardy as a #2 could rack up receptions even if his yards/TDs aren't incredibly exciting. Unless they draft a WR highly, he could be in line for the #2 job and 100+ targets which has 2nd round value to me even I am alone on that. I just don't see a ton of exciting prospects on the offensive side this year, especially getting into picks 20+.

[jpusmc0311]

I actually like Hardy. He has great hands, and he good size. I think he will establish himself as the Falcons number 2 wr next year.

[Dynasty DeLorean]

He may have great hands but he had some BRUTAL drops last year. Just fyi. Probably rookie jitters.