Justin Hardy

Justin Hardy

32-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Justin Hardy in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Bears in August of 2021.
Let go by Bears
WRFree Agent
August 17, 2021
The Bears cut Hardy on Monday, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
ANALYSIS
Hardy spent the first five seasons of his NFL career playing for the Falcons, from 2015 to 2019, but he didn't play at all in 2020. Given that he's proven capable of handling a reserve role, Hardy shouldn't have too much trouble earning another chance elsewhere in the league.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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2019
2018
2017
2016
2019 NFL Game Log
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2018 NFL Game Log
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2017 NFL Game Log
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2016 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Justin Hardy lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2024 Justin Hardy Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Justin Hardy's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
192 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.56 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.21 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.63 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.5 in
 
Broad Jump
114 in
 
Bench Press
11 reps
 
Hand Length
10.00 in
 
Arm Length
32.13 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Justin Hardy See More
Dynasty Watch: Zay Jones
Dynasty Watch: Zay Jones
February 15, 2022
February 15, 2022
Zay Jones was a disappointing second-round pick for the Bills, but he showed breakout indications late in 2021 and now heads into free agency.
2021 NFL Team Previews: Chicago Bears
July 27, 2021
The Bears continue their search for a franchise quarterback, this time in the form of rookie Justin Fields. But he'll have to wait to get on the field with veteran Andy Dalton on hand.
NFL 2020: Using Vacated Targets to Identify Opportunity
July 15, 2020
The Brandin Cooks trade has mostly been discussed from the Texans' perspective, but the biggest fantasy impact could be a career high in targets for Robert Woods.
In Defense of Composite Stats (WAR, QBR, DVOA, etc.)
June 18, 2020
Antonio Brown is obviously the better football player, but Andy Dalton has been more valuable to his team IF we're comparing them to the replacement-level baselines for their respective positions.
Hidden Stat Line: NFL Week 16 Recap
December 24, 2019
Jerry Donabedian does the quick version of his weekly recap, highlighting role changes and playoff scenarios that could impact fantasy decisions for Week 17.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Ever since he was acquired with an early fourth-round pick during the 2015 draft, it seemed possible that Hardy could one day develop into the go-to slot receiver for Atlanta. His production at East Carolina was absolutely insane, as he put up per-year averages of 108 catches, 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns between his sophomore and senior campaigns. As a pro, he hasn't been granted the requisite playing time to unleash his talent, with the first-round selection of Calvin Ridley in 2018 usurping Hardy's ascendance to an integral offensive role. Aside from an uninspiring rookie showing, Hardy has been extremely efficient with the opportunities he's been afforded, posting a catch rate over 67 percent and a touchdown rate of 16.4 percent in 48 appearances since 2016.
Though he has never eclipsed 21 receptions in any of his three NFL seasons, Hardy has been notably efficient with the opportunities that have been afforded to him, ranking second among Falcons wide receivers with a catch rate of 68.3 percent since 2016. Taylor Gabriel's departure to Chicago during free agency boded well for a Hardy breakout campaign. That is, until the Falcons selected Alabama star receiver Calvin Ridley with the 26th overall pick in this year's draft. Still, in a high-flying offense that finished eighth in the league with 249.4 passing yards per game last season, Hardy is liable to put up a couple double-digit outings in standard scoring formats.
Despite finding the end zone four times in 2016, many people expected more out of Hardy last season. In the pass-happy offense, fantasy owners hoped Hardy would be the beneficiary of the extra attention being paid to Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. However, it was Taylor Gabriel who stepped into that role, and he found the end zone seven times. Hardy is entering his third season, so there's still time for him to find his stride and be a regular contributor to this offense, but with so many weapons, it's unlikely that Hardy will see much more than a few targets per game. He could also end up having extra value on special teams with the departure of Eric Weems.
When Roddy White was released in early March, it appeared that Hardy would become the de facto starter across from Julio Jones, but the Falcons decided to make a move and sign Mohamed Sanu during free agency just a few days later. Sanu is now expected to handle the second wide receiver duties, while Hardy likely will be moved to the slot. Hardy can certainly be efficient in that role, and there's little reason to think he won't improve on a 21-catch, 194-yard rookie season.
Nobody has caught more balls (387) in FBS history than Hardy (who the Falcons selected with their fourth-round pick in this year’s draft) did in his four years at East Carolina. Few doubt Hardy’s talent, but he steps into an offense with two solid starters and a group of receivers looking to prove their worth. Julio Jones and Roddy White are the Week 1 starters, but Hardy has the opportunity to move into the third receiver slot with an effective preseason. That said, he’ll need to beat out Devin Hester - who tallied more than 500 yards last season - and Leonard Hankerson, who signed with the Falcons on a one-year deal this offseason. If he can beat out the pair, the rookie wideout could blossom into a nice receiving threat similar to the Packers’ Davante Adams in his 2014 rookie campaign.
More Fantasy News
Signing on with Bears
WRChicago Bears
July 27, 2021
Hardy will sign a contract with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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Leaving Atlanta
WRFree Agent
March 16, 2020
Hardy won't re-sign with the Falcons, instead becoming an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
ANALYSIS
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Posts 40 yards receiving in finale
WRAtlanta Falcons
December 31, 2019
Hardy caught all three of his targets for 40 receiving yards during Sunday's 28-22 overtime win against the Buccaneers.
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Targeted once in win
WRAtlanta Falcons
December 24, 2019
Hardy was unable to haul in his only target of Sunday's 24-12 win over Jacksonville.
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Logs 19-yard catch in Week 14 win
WRAtlanta Falcons
December 9, 2019
Hardy hauled in his only target for a 19-yard gain during Sunday's 40-20 win against the Panthers.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Schedules workout in Seattle
WRFree Agent
August 27, 2020
The Seahawks are scheduled to host Hardy for a tryout, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Hardy worked out for the 49ers earlier this month, and he'll now get an opportunity to showcase his skills for Detroit. The journeyman wideout spent the last five seasons playing a reserve and special-teams role in Atlanta.
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