It took a while to get the engine started, but Justin Hardy was able to build some momentum at the backend of the 2015 season.
Hardy — selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft — was inactive for the Falcons’ first seven games while he tried to get a grasp of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Hardy made his debut in the home loss to Tampa Bay, catching two passes for 21 yards.
As the season went on, the rookie’s chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan developed and this was exactly what the Falcons needed to see.