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Atlanta Falcons: Justin Hardy, the unforgotten man

By Colin Hubbard

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nobody is expecting Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Justin Hardy to do much of anything in 2016

If the Atlanta Falcons had a weakness on offense in 2015, it was their lack of wide receiver depth.

Outside of Julio Jones, the Falcons didn’t have anyone catch more than 43 passes. And that is something that needs to change in 2016 if Atlanta wants to be successful.

The Falcons drafted Justin Hardy with their fourth-round pick a season ago with the hopes of him filling Harry Douglas’s spot as their starting slot receiver. But that never materialized. Hardy was inactive for the first half of the season and wound up catching just 21 passes for 194 yards.

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Many of us couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t played earlier in the year. Atlanta rolled with Leonard Hankerson, Roddy White and Jones as their top-three receivers on the depth chart, but it was Nick Williams who got the nod over Hardy.

The Falcons eventually released Hankerson and that finally freed up an extra spot for Hardy.

So what can we expect from Hardy in 2016? The Falcons signed Mohamed Sanu to replace White’s departure, but there is still an open spot at the No. 3 spot. Hardy is hoping to be that guy.

I’m not so sure there’s anyone on the Falcons’ roster that can challenge Hardy for that third spot. He will likely see a lot of playing time at that slot receiver spot and if he can hold onto the ball, it’s his job to lose.

The Falcons drafted him for a reason. They didn’t draft him to let him waste away on the bench, so don’t write him off after an unproductive rookie season. Just look at Devonta Freeman for instance. He had a rather unproductive rookie season and broke out in year two.

Next: Robert Alford's move to nickelback is very smart

We could be in store for a very surprising year from Hardy in 2016.

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