If three's a crowd, then what do you call nine? That's how many wide receivers will compete for a roster spot this summer.
The Green Bay Packers ended their first-round wide receiver drought by selecting Matthew Golden — and it felt so nice, they did it twice, grabbing Savion Williams on Day 2.
Competition is good for the Packers, but players will inevitably miss out. Christian Watson's injury may keep him off the initial 53-man roster, but the room remains crowded. Could the Packers entertain trade offers for Romeo Doubs?
Time will tell, but the addition of Golden and Williams almost guarantees one exit.
Packers' draft moves spell doom for Mecole Hardman's roster hopes
The Packers surprisingly signed Mecole Hardman in free agency in a move few saw coming. Hardman is a good fit for Matt LaFleur's offense — he has 4.33 speed and could play the Tyler Ervin role. Hardman also has return experience, which could free up Keisean Nixon to focus on his defensive role.
However, Green Bay's draft class likely changes that.
The Packers may not want to put their first-round pick in harm's way on return duties, but he has experience. Golden returned 28 kicks for Texas with two touchdowns at an average of 25.8 yards per return.
Williams is phenomenal after the catch and also offers return experience. That may be his clearest path to snaps early in his rookie season. The Packers' third-round choice has drawn comparisons to Cordarrelle Patterson due to the various roles he could play on offense.
Hardman's opportunities to earn offensive snaps have likely reduced dramatically.
Brian Gutekunst expects Williams to do a bit of everything and even mentioned the creative role Tyler Ervin had in Green Bay. That doesn't bode well for Hardman, who may have taken some of those snaps if the Packers didn't draft Williams.
Unless Hardman is the clear choice to return kicks and punts, it's hard to see how the Packers will find space for him on the roster. The wide receiver room is far too crowded for him to play regular snaps, especially once Watson returns from injury.
It's likely special-teams-or-bust for the former Chiefs and Jets receiver, and even then, can the Packers justify reserving a roster spot for a returner when they have so much depth at the position?
Hardman only just arrived, but he may never play a snap for the Packers.