NFL Draft: Mid-To-Late Round Receiving Options

Nov 22, 2014; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Justin Hardy (2) runs with the ball after his 2nd quarter reception against the Tulane Green Wave at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Hardy, East Carolina

East Carolina was a gritty team last year and one of the players that epitomized that was wide receiver Justin Hardy. Standing 5’10” and weighing 192 pounds, Hardy was a willing blocker when they would run the ball and a fearless receiver when running routes.

He showed his value in his senior year by converting first downs on more than 70 percent of the passes he caught. Not a small feat when you realize he hauled in 121 receptions and gained 1,494 yards on those catches, while also netting ten touchdowns.

And Hardy was no one-year wonder either, as his lowest reception total was his freshman year when he had 64 catches for 658 yards and six scores. He followed that year with 88 catches for 1,105 yards and 11 scores and in 2013 had 114 catches for 1,284 yards and eight trips to the red zone.

Hardy showed even more versatility by averaging about eight yards on punt returns, not great but still showed he has some ability there. He also threw ten passes in his career, completing four and even having two go for touchdowns.

Expected to be selected in the fourth or fifth round, his talent has flown mostly under the radar.

Next: A Player From A Pass-Happy Offense