Daniel

Hardy

They were both signed to reserve/future deals in the winter. Hardy was a 6-foot-4, 249-pound H-back made expendable by fourth-round rookie Rhett Ellison.

A seventh-round pick of the Bucs, Hardy was waived in September after making seven catches for 80 yards during the preseason. A two-year veteran out of Arkansas, the Falcons gave Valdez a look at left tackle during their preseason finale, but he’s yet to make a regular season appearance.

Hardy missed five games last fall thanks to a broken arm, but is considered a solid pass catcher that operates well in motion. He is an unaccomplished blocker, however, and will likely have to bulk up this summer if he’s to earn a spot on the Bucs’ 53-man roster.

The seventh-rounder earned all-Conference honors while posting a 32/545/1 line as a senior despite missing five games with a broken arm. A work in progress as a blocker, Hardy may spend his first season bulking up on the practice squad.

A seventh-round pick, Hardy hauled in four catches for 80 yards during the preseason. Luke Stocker will serve as Kellen Winslow’s primary backup at tight end this season.