Chiefs' Reid: Hardman selection unrelated to Hill situation

The selection of speedy receiver Mecole Hardman had nothing to do with the uncertainty surrounding Tyreek Hill's future with the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid said Friday.

"This is somebody (general manager Brett Veach) had his eye on from the get-go," Reid told reporters as the Chiefs wrapped up Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft, according to the Kansas City Star's Blair Kerkhoff. "It doesn't have anything to do with things going on now."

Kansas City traded up in the second round to take Hardman at No. 56 overall. Hardman played his college ball at Georgia and possesses a similar skill set to the prolific Hill. A burner down the field, he excels at taking the top off defenses and returning kicks.

The Chiefs instructed Hill on Thursday to stay away from team activities after audio tapes added smoke to the child abuse investigation involving him and his 3-year-old son. The clips also revealed him threatening his fiancee, Crystal Espinal.

The child abuse case was reopened by police on Friday. They had closed it Wednesday despite their insistence that a crime had been committed, citing a lack of evidence. Hill and Espinal had both been investigated.

Hill ranked fourth in receiving across the NFL last season with 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns but could face a severe suspension from the league once the dust settles from the investigation.