NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chiefs have yet to release Tyreek Hill, but they appeared to telegraph their plans with a draft pick Friday night.
With the No. 56 pick, the Chiefs drafted Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman, a speedster who could step right into Hill’s spot in the fallout of the All-Pro’s damning child abuse case, which police reopened earlier Friday.
The Chiefs have banned Hill from all team activities after KCTV released explosive audio Thursday night in which he and his fiance can be heard talking about Hill punching and using a belt on their 3-year-old son. The child had previously suffered a broken arm, among other injuries.
“[Hardman] is somebody [general manager Brett Veach] had his eye on from the get-go,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters in Kansas City. “It doesn’t have anything to do with things going on now. It’s player he’s felt very good about.”
In the audio, Hill’s fiance, Crystal Espinal, tells him that their son was “terrified of him.
“You need to be terrified of me, too, [b—h],” the man identified as Hill replied.
“We were made aware of the audio between Tyreek and Crystal,” the Chiefs said in a statement released Friday. “We were made aware of this information in real time, just like the general public. We were deeply disturbed and concerned by what we heard. We have great concern for Crystal, we are greatly concerned for Tyreek, but our main concern is with the young child.
“We decided at this time and for the foreseeable future, Tyreek Hill will not take part in any team activities. We are going to gather more information, we’re going to evaluate this information, and we will make the right decision regarding Tyreek Hill.”
Reid confirmed Friday in a press conference that Hill’s case had been reopened, but declined further comment.
Just last fall, the Chiefs released another dynamic offensive threat, running back Kareem Hunt, after video emerged of him punching and kicking a woman.
Hardman, meanwhile, recorded 60 receptions for 961 yards and 11 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons at Georgia. The 5-foot-10 receiver is also a threat on special teams, where Hill excelled, and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine — the third-fastest mark for wideouts.
