5 teams that could trade for NY Jets WR Mecole Hardman

The NY Jets originally promised wide receiver Mecole Hardman a larger role when they signed him to a one-year, $4 million contract this offseason. Through the first five weeks of the 2023 season, Hardman has played just 22 offensive snaps and is fresh off being a healthy scratch in Week 5.

Needless to say, the season hasn't gone according to plan for Hardman...or the Jets, for that matter. The loss of Aaron Rodgers forced the Jets to reconsider their offensive game plan, and the emergence of rookie Xavier Gipson helped make Hardman's skill set redundant.

It should come as little surprise that the Jets have begun exploring their options with the speedy wideout. A trade is very much on the table, and there will likely be a number of interested teams.

Let's take a look at five teams that could be interested in trading for Hardman.

5. The NY Jets could trade Mecole Hardman to the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins already have the fastest skill position group in the NFL, perhaps even in league history. It's fair to wonder just how productive Hardman could be in Mike McDaniel's offense.

The Dolphins don't necessarily have a need at wide receiver, especially after acquiring Chase Claypool last week, but from a sheer schematic standpoint, no offense in the NFL is better equipped to take advantage of Hardman's skill set.

Would the Jets actually trade Hardman to a division rival? It's certainly possible. While the Jets and Dolphins don't have a long history of being trade partners, the two teams did agree on a deal for running back Kalen Ballage a few years ago.

Hardman probably isn't a high-enough-profile player to warrant ruling out division rivals. If the two teams can overlook their rivalry, the Dolphins would be a great fit for Hardman.