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Having started his collegiate career at East Carolina as a walk-on and gone on to break the Football Bowl Subdivision’s all-time receptions record, Justin Hardy knows a thing or two about defying expectations on the football field.

So far, the Atlanta Falcons' fourth-round pick (No. 107 overall) appears to be putting himself in position to do the same in the NFL.

According to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure, Hardy “has impressed with his hands from the moment he joined the team.” The rookie has already received public praise from the man he most needs to impress this summer, that being Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

"Justin Hardy's done a great job," Ryan said, per McClure. "He's really picked up things. And you can see him kind of every practice he goes out there, he gets a little more comfortable and he becomes a little more confident. That's going to bode well for us. His production for us this season is going to be important."

According to McClure, Hardy “got some extended reps with the first-team offense” during the team’s mandatory minicamp. That might not have happened without Roddy White and Devin Hester being absent from practice, but nonetheless, it’s evident the Falcons are already gearing up for Hardy to play a role in the offense in 2015.

A 5’10”, 192-pound player who ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, Hardy fell in the draft because of his measurables. But while his subpar size and speed might limit his long-term upside, his consistent catching and route-running ability are what could ultimately make him a highly productive player as early as his rookie season.

Hardy will compete with Hester and Leonard Hankerson to be the Falcons’ No. 3 wide receiver in the wake of Harry Douglas’ departure to the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Considering his strong start, it should come as no surprise if he wins that battle right off the bat.