The Green Bay Packers took their time before adding a wide receiver this offseason. They passed on a reunion with Davante Adams or a trade for DK Metcalf, instead signing Mecole Hardman in free agency.
That move opened the floodgates. The Packers can't stop adding receivers, and Hardman's roster spot is already in serious jeopardy.
Green Bay's wide receiver room has become awfully crowded. The team snapped its two-decade streak of not adding a first-round pass-catcher by selecting Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall. The Packers then surprisingly doubled down by picking Savion Williams in the third round.
They didn't stop there, either. Green Bay signed Jadon Janke earlier this month and followed it by bringing in Golden's former teammate Sam Brown, who actually posted better numbers than Golden in their final season together in college.
Where does it leave Hardman? Facing an uphill battle, it seems.
Mecole Hardman's chances of making the Packers' roster continue to decrease
How many wide receivers will make the 53-man roster? Five? Six?
We can lock in Golden, Williams, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. Unless the Packers trade Romeo Doubs, he is also guaranteed a spot. If they keep a sixth pass-catcher, Hardman would have to fend off competition from six(!) other receivers, including Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and the latest free-agent additions.
Christian Watson will likely begin the season on the PUP list, which frees up a spot, although head coach Matt LaFleur said he is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a torn ACL.
Here's the problem for Hardman: where does he fit into the Packers' plans?
He could struggle for snaps in LaFleur's offense — the veteran touched the ball only 17 times for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
Hardman's best path to the roster is via special teams, but is that enough anymore? The Packers have other potential return specialists. Golden has return experience, although the Packers may prefer to protect their first-round investment. So does Williams, who has drawn comparisons to All-Pro returner Cordarrelle Patterson.
To have any realistic shot at making the roster, Hardman must carve out a role on offense. With the Packers signing receivers like they're going out of fashion, his opportunities to secure that spot are fading fast.