Raiders Draft 2024: Daequan Hardy fills 2 needs

Penn State cornerback can be jolt to return game while competing for defensive snaps

Providing an electric presence as a return man with a developing skill set as a nuisance slot cornerback, Daequan Hardy would fill two areas of need for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Let’s make this clear on the latter part of that description: The Penn State defender is already a pesterer as a nickel corner. But his 5-foot-9 and 179-pound frame results in the developing skillset as he makes the leap from the collegiate game to pro level.

Hardy has the potential and collegiate production to put a smile on both Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’ and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon’s faces. Hardy’s explosive straight-line speed and ability to accelerate make him a more readymade special teamer who can return punts and a gunner on kick coverage units.

Tale of the Tape: Daequan Hardy

• School: Penn State
• Position: Cornerback
• Height: 5-foot-9
• Weight: 179 pounds
• 2023 Stats: 22 total tackles (12 solo), 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 9 passes defensed; 17 punt returns, 248 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Career Stats: 60 total tackles (40 solo), 3.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 25 passed defensed; 17 punt returns, 248 yards, 2 touchdowns; 3 kickoff returns, 47 yards

Las Vegas has a distinct lack of a prime return specialist and Hardy excelled as the Nittany Lions’ feature punt return man — a gig he was given this past season and ran away with it. Hardy fielded 17 punts racking up 248 yards an two touchdowns with a very robust 14.6 yards per return. That’s the type of field position any NFL team would like to have. And the end zone trips led the nation in 2023.

Look at the two touchdowns below to see Hardy operate as a return specialist. One thing that stands out: How effortless his second TD looks as he seems to be merely gliding or jogging compared to to everyone else:

As mentioned above, Hardy’s size — or lack thereof — is the biggest area of concern. He is undersized and that’s not going to change even with added weight. His arms are shorter than what NFL teams seek (30 inches) along with his wingspan (70 7/8 inches), which are definitely limiting factors. This will limit his ability to press when asked and be physical in both pass coverage and run support. Nonetheless, that type of build Hardy owns tends to be favorable for an inside defender who often will cover and chase shifty receivers in the slot.

But it’s easy to see how evaluators stereotype Hardy as an inside-only corner due to his size. He doesn’t have the striking ability to be a tried and true tackler and can be bullied by bigger outside receivers.

Yet, Graham has experience deploying a short corner on the perimeter in Amik Robertson who is a shade smaller than Hardy at 5-foot-8. And Hardy delivers a solid vertical leap (42 ¹⁄₂ inches) to outjump and the film that shows he can outmuscle much bigger receivers to the catch point.

Which brings us to Hardy’s strength as a defender.

Comfortable in both man and zone coverages, Hardy can continue to hone his cover skills if taken by the Raiders. With the Silver & Black having a bona fide starting nickel cornerback in Nate Hobbs, Hardy can come in and learn from a premiere nickel defender and pick the brains of both Hobbs and Jack Jones as he competes for defensive snaps. The depth at nickel corner is lackluster, at best in Las Vegas. Of the six cornerbacks on the roster, it’s Hobbs who has the most experience and snaps inside.

Hardy can alleviate that.

At Penn State, Hardy showcased confidence and ability to track and find, and make plays on passes in flight. He’s the type that looks to create takeaways and has five interceptions under his belt. And, he was penalty free the last two seasons for the Nittany Lions.

Projected as a Day 3 prospect that can go as high as the fifth round and as low as the seventh round, Hardy is likely going to have wait to get a call from an NFL team draft day. Las Vegas does have four selections from the fifth round on — two in the seventh (No. 223 and 229 — as it stands now.

And Hardy is a worthwhile look on Day 3 as a special teamer who can provide juice as a return man and gunner while developing as a defender at the pro level. With the coaching he can get from Graham and McMahon, Hardy can be a late-round difference maker on special teams and defense.

And the Raiders can always use more of that.