FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets agreed to a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman and then promptly agreed to trade receiver Elijah Moore to the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday.
The Jets agreed to trade Moore and their third-round pick in the 2023 draft (74th overall) to the Browns for their 2023 second-round pick (No. 42 overall). 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.
Hardman joins newly signed Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson as the Jets’ top receivers. Veterans Corey Davis and Denzel Mims, both entering the final year of their contracts, could be released or traded in the coming weeks. Moving on from Davis would create $10.5 million in cap room, which could be needed for the Jets to complete a trade for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
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 final nine regular-season games and the Chiefs’ 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.