Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer2:39 PM ET3 Minute Read
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FLORHAM PARK, NJ — The New York Jets agreed to a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman, then promptly agreed to trade wide receiver Elijah Moore to the Cleveland Browns Wednesday.
The Jets agreed to trade Moore and their 2023 third-round pick (74th overall) to the Browns for their 2023 second-round pick (No. 42 overall), a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Jets now hold the No. 42 and 43 picks in the second round of this year’s draft.
Hardman agreed to a one-year contract, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Hardman joins newly signed Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson as the Jets’ top receiver. Veterans Corey Davis and Denzel Mims, both entering the final year of their contracts, could be released or traded in the coming weeks. Davis’ move would create $10.5 million in headroom that could be needed for the Jets to trade Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Moore was the Jets’ primary slot receiver, a position Hardman excelled at for the Chiefs. According to a study by ESPN Stats & Information, 10 of Hardman’s 16 touchdowns came from the slot.
The recent additions should potentially help Rodgers, who recommended Lazard in talks with Jets Brass. In exchange, the Jets signed Lazard to a four-year, $44 million deal. The exact terms of Hardman’s deal weren’t immediately available, but it may be worth up to $6.5 million, a source said.
The Jets have expressed an interest in free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. It’s unclear if Hardman’s arrival will prevent her from signing Beckham.
Cleveland’s top priority has been finding another big threat to quarterback Deshaun Watson offensively this offseason. The Browns were interested in Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, a source told ESPN’s Jake Trotter, but were able to broker the deal for Moore instead.
Hardman, 25, played in eight games for the Chiefs during the 2022 regular season, catching 25 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
He missed the Chiefs’ last nine regular season games and the divisional round playoff game with what the team called a pelvic injury. He returned to catch two passes for 10 yards in the AFC championship game but sat out Super Bowl LVII.
Hardman underwent surgery on Feb. 21 to repair an injury in his groin/pelvic area, meaning he will likely miss the Jets’ offseason program.
Hardman joined the Chiefs in 2019 as a second-round draft pick. His best season came in 2021, when he set career highs with 59 receptions and 693 yards.
Hardman, who also returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown while with the Chiefs, has 151 career receptions for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He is the second notable wide receiver to leave the Chiefs in free agency, joining JuJu Smith-Schuster, who signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots.
ESPN’s Adam Teicher contributed to this report.