Buffalo Bills select Daequan Hardy in sixth round of 2024 NFL Draft

Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy has been selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, taken with the No. 218 overall pick.

Hardy suited up for the Nittany Lions for five seasons and slowly becamse a bigger and bigger part of the team over time.

By the time he was a senior in 2023, Hardy was even making contributions on special teams, something that undoubtedly helped his NFL Draft stock. Hardy returned two punts for a touchdown and finished tied for fourth in school history in punt return touchdowns and seventh in punt return average.

On defense, Hardy racked up 60 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, five interceptions and 25 passes defended.

He proved he was capable of doing it all, even at a listed 5 foot 9.

Prior to enrolling at Penn State, Daequan Hardy was a three-star prospect and the No. 1,309 overall recruit in the 2019 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Hardy was also the No. 132 cornerback in his class and the No. 26 overall player from the state of Pennsylvania, hailing from Pittsburgh (PA) Penn Hills.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Daequan Hardy

As noted, the size is a little bit of a concern for Hardy, who was primarily a nickel cornerback in college.

It’s unlikely Hardy will physically match up with some of the more imposing receivers in the league, so he’ll have to find his spot. Special teams could help with that.

Writes NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein in evaluating Daequan Hardy:

“Finesse nickel cornerback with above-average ball skills to help make up for average speed and explosiveness. Hardy will need to play with better route anticipation in man to make up for his average acceleration and recovery when beaten.

“He plays with excellent positioning and timing to disrupt catch attempts down the field and in tight quarters, but handling the physicality of the NFL could be a steep challenge for him. Hardy is a solid punt returner and can compete for gunner reps but might not have the suddenness and size to stand out in those respective roles.”