Report: Falcons and Justin Hardy will part ways

Per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC, wide receiver Justin Hardy will not be re-signing with the Atlanta Falcons and will become an unrestricted free agent.

Hardy was a fourth-round pick back in 2015, and many felt he was an outstanding value selection after a highly productive college career at East Carolina, posting a ridiculous 387 receptions for 4,541 yards and 35 touchdowns. This did not quite translate to the NFL.

Hardy was primarily used on special teams and was buried under the likes of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu during his time in Atlanta. He could have served as quality depth at receiver, but the Falcons have more significant concerns at the moment, and Russell Gage supplanted him on the depth chart last year regardless of the Sanu trade. Perhaps a change of scenery on a team with less talent at receiver could benefit him.