 Hardman was drafted with the ninth overall selection in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.Hardman is the current all-time sack leader for the San Francisco 49ers franchise, recording 107 sacks between 1970 and 1979 and he had 14½ with the Raiders in 1980 and 81 (9½ in 1980).The NFL did not start to officially recognize the sack until the 1982 season, unofficially, Hardman's 121½ career sacks ranks him tied with Clyde Simmons for 30th all-time.