Mecole Hardman Under Pressure as Bills Insider Predicts He Could Be Cut

Mecole Hardman’s place on the Buffalo Bills roster is reportedly in jeopardy after another dropped pass during Thursday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The former Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl wide receiver has struggled with dropped passes during the preseason, and his latest mistake prompted Bills analyst Alex Brasky to make a strong prediction about his future with the team.

Alex Brasky predicts Mecole Hardman will be cut

Hardman’s latest drop came during the first quarter against Pittsburgh. The wide receiver was left completely unguarded but failed to secure a pass from quarterback Shane Buechele.

The mistake contributed to two consecutive incompletions that ended Buffalo’s drive and forced the team to settle for a field goal.

Following the play, Brasky delivered a blunt assessment of Hardman’s roster chances, writing that he believes the receiver is getting cut and suggesting that Ray Davis should receive the punt-return responsibilities instead.

The criticism comes after Hardman has reportedly recorded around eight drops during the preseason, making his reliability a major talking point as Buffalo evaluates its roster ahead of the regular season.

Hardman’s limited impact with the Bills

Hardman joined the Bills in November 2025 after briefly spending time with the Green Bay Packers on a practice-only basis.

His first season in Buffalo produced limited offensive involvement. He appeared in only two regular-season games and did not record an offensive snap. Instead, his opportunities came primarily on special teams, where he returned two punts and one kickoff for a combined 65 yards.

Hardman did make an important contribution in the postseason, however. He appeared in Buffalo’s Divisional Round matchup against the Denver Broncos and caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen.

Why Hardman’s roster battle is becoming difficult

The Bills have a competitive group of wide receivers, meaning players on the roster bubble must make the most of their opportunities. Repeated drops can become particularly damaging for a player whose role is already uncertain.

Hardman has experience as a return specialist and offensive weapon, but Buffalo must determine whether his speed and versatility outweigh the concerns created by his recent catching problems.

With the preseason nearing its conclusion, every remaining opportunity could be important for Hardman as he attempts to secure a spot on the final roster.

Ray Davis emerges as a possible alternative on returns

Brasky’s suggestion that Ray Davis should receive the punt-return job adds another layer to the roster competition.

Davis has primarily been known for his role in Buffalo’s backfield, but his potential value on special teams could give the Bills another option if they decide to move away from Hardman.

The decision could ultimately depend on how Buffalo evaluates return production, ball security and overall roster flexibility.

Other Bills players facing roster uncertainty

Hardman is not the only Buffalo player reportedly facing an uncertain future. Sports Illustrated’s Randy Gurzi previously identified several Bills players who could be at risk of losing their roster spots after the preseason.

Among the offensive players mentioned was center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. His position on the depth chart has reportedly become less secure, with Lloyd Cushenberry stepping in while Connor McGovern deals with an injury and Austin Corbett also competing for opportunities.

Damar Hamlin faces safety competition

Safety Damar Hamlin was another player identified as potentially being at risk. Hamlin has been with Buffalo since being drafted in 2021 and has remained part of the secondary in the years following his serious on-field medical emergency during the 2022 season.

The arrival and development of players such as Cole Bishop, combined with C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s presence, could make the competition for defensive-back roster spots more difficult.

Mitch Wishnowsky also faces competition

Punter Mitch Wishnowsky is another player whose roster position could be challenged. Buffalo used Brad Robbins and Cameron Johnston earlier in the 2025 season before Wishnowsky took over the punting role.

However, seventh-round rookie Tommy Doman has reportedly created additional competition for the position. His presence could force the Bills to make another difficult decision before finalizing their roster.

Hardman’s next opportunity could be crucial

For Hardman, the situation is straightforward: he needs to demonstrate consistency. His experience, speed and postseason production give him valuable qualities, but dropped passes could undermine his case if the Bills believe other players can provide more reliable production.

With roster decisions approaching, Hardman’s performance in the remaining preseason evaluation period could determine whether he remains in Buffalo or becomes one of the notable cuts before the regular season.