Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill literally burst onto the scene during his rookie year as one of the most electrifying playmakers in the NFL. Hill followed up his strong campaign by earning his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl in 2017.
Although he may have been selected as a return specialist, Hill is one of the most dangerous receivers in the league as well. However, he acknowledged that he still has much more room to improve, according to Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star:
“I feel like as the season went on I got better at my route-running. Early in the season, I wasn't as good with my route-running, I was just running by guys. I was using my technique and my fundamentals and I was getting open more,” Hill said. “I still feel I got a long way to go as a receiver so definitely my route-running.”
Hill is regarded as the fastest player in the league. Just take a quick look at any of his recent highlight tapes and it is easy to see why.
That said, it seems he became too reliant on his blinding speed rather than working on the mechanics of being a great receiver. The most dangerous weapon a pass-catcher can have is their ability to run a clean, crisp route.
It is easy for fans to be enamored by a player with lightning speed or an imposing figure. However, the best receivers from the 2017 NFL season have all proven to be the league's most elite route runners. If Hill can learn to combine the two, he may be virtually unguardable in the near future.
