JaQuan

Hardy

Hardy was cut by the Cowboys last month after appearing four games for Dallas as an undrafted rookie last season. Scott was most recently with the USFL’s Michigan Panthers. Both backs will help get Denver through the preseason.

A 2021 UDFA of some repute out of small-school Tiffin, Hardy made three rookie appearances, carrying the ball four times and scoring a touchdown. That’s good, but he is already 24 years old, and getting cut at this stage of the offseason bodes poorly for his NFL future.

With Ezekiel Elliott unlikely to see more than a few snaps in a meaningless Week 18 game, Corey Clement, Smith, and Hardy could be in line for carries against the Eagles. Tony Pollard (foot) has been declared out for the game.

Hardy (5'8/212) is one of this year’s small school studs. A short, thick runner, Hardy produced exceptionally at Tiffin, carrying the ball 501 times for 3,207 yards and 28 touchdowns over three seasons of play at Tiffin. About half of that production came from Hardy’s final year, most notably his 15 touchdowns. Hardy tested with a decent 4.56 40-yard dash and a good 6.98 three-cone, but his real strengths come from how compact and balanced a runner he is. Hardy does well to play low, absorb contact, and continue trucking on, all while showing just enough wiggle to be a bit more than just a bowling ball. Hardy is not a well-versed pass-catcher, though, nor does he quite have the long-speed to threaten as a big-play generator in the NFL. Hardy also tore his meniscus in 2018, resulting in him missing the entire season. Hardy’s ideal future in the NFL is C.J. Anderson, but that is a long shot. He’ll struggle to hang onto the Dallas roster in his first season.