Chiefs GM Brett Veach Reveals D.K.Metcalf as His Biggest Draft Miss Despite Taking Mecole Hardman 8 Picks Earlier

The Kansas City Chiefs have built a robust system in the past few years, and the results have been clear as day for all of us to see. Having lifted the Lombardi Trophy back-to-back and aiming for a three-peat this season, it seems like things have been going fairly according to plan for the franchise. However, Brett Veach holds one regret from back in 2019.

In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks picked a Mississippi wide receiver, while the Chiefs picked Mecole Hardman. In his debut season itself, DK Metcalf set a franchise record for the most receiving yards amassed in a rookie’s first game. It was this untapped potential that Veach feels remorse for missing out on. During a recent appearance on NASCAR on FOX, the general manager opened up about the WR.

“Looking back on D.K. we weren’t sure on…” said Veach. “But there was none maybe that should have prompted us to bypass that. That’s one player that sticks out.” The receiver position has been one of the only qualms of the Super Bowl champions in the otherwise stellar offense ever since losing Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. The team has been vying for an improvement in the position, especially to provide the support their star quarterback needs to excel during the regular season.

Patrick Mahomes‘ partners in offense become more of a point of concern this offseason with Hardman in free agency, Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s departure, and Rashee Rice’s future uncertain. It’s certainly interesting to imagine if the Chiefs had waited for eight picks and drafted Metcalf, would they have found a franchise WR fit enough to replace Hill?

Why Brett Veach prefers Metcalf over Hardman

The two wide receivers belonged to the same draft class and were selected in the second round just eight picks apart. Kansas City had the higher pick and chose to draft Hardman at No. 56. The franchise took him with hopes of getting another Hill-like WR1 for the future, considering the rookie’s running capabilities. However, the 26-year-old had a slow start but delivered when needed. On entering free agency in 2023, he signed with the Jets, where his run was barely mediocre. Having only received one reception in five games, Hardman was traded back to the Chiefs in October.

Metcalf, on the other hand, has had a fairly successful time with the Seahawks. The WR cemented his starting position right from the very first game with four receptions and 89 receiving yards. He finished his debut season with the third-highest among rookies, with 900 receiving yards, 58 receptions, and seven touchdowns. The Mississippi product has since stayed with the franchise as the starter and had 1,114 yards, eight receiving touchdowns, and 66 receptions last season.

DK Metcalf clearly takes the cake as the better-performing wide receiver for a franchise. However, Hardman has proved his reliability when needed, as was evident by his game-winning touchdown in overtime, helping the Chiefs clinch their second consecutive Super Bowl win.