James Hardy

Judging offseason practices, Hardy and Steve Johnson look like the two leading candidates for the No. 2 receiving job, with the loser getting a No. 4 or No.5 spot because Roscoe Parrish is looking like the No. 3 slot receiver. As of late-June, Hardy isn't full boat yet due to minor offseason groin surgery, but he's still probably a slight favorite for the job, but he'll have to hold off Johnson, and to a lesser extent Marcus Easley, Chad Jackson and a few others for the aforementioned starting No. 2 role. It'll be an interesting training camp battle, though even the winner will have limited upside in 2010. At least we know Hardy has the size to haul in touchdowns if he figures out the rest of the pro game and earns a starting spot.

Hardy finished a disappointing rookie season with just 87 receiving yards. He did manage to score two touchdowns before being placed on IR for the last two games with a torn ACL in his left knee. He should be in playable health by the time the season rolls around. Hardy has excellent size and a lot of potential, so we're not giving up on him yet. However, the Bills thought they were getting a much more polished product when they drafted Hardy in 2008. He may actually be sixth on the depth chart right now, as he's certainly behind Lee Evans, Terrell Owens, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish, and he may have been passed by Steve Johnson. Don't draft Hardy for 2009.

At 6-7, 220, Hardy has the inside track to make the starting lineup alongside Lee Evans. The second-round pick's size would be a great complement to Evans' speed. Rookie receivers usually take some time to adapt to the NFL, but if given the playing time, Hardy has a chance to produce. When you look at this offense's recent history, the touchdowns will probably come before the yardage given, meaning he'll be an instant red-zone target, whereas second or third receivers in Buffalo haven't been yardage producers for a long time.