Grant’s Slants: Tyreek Hill is already best wide receiver in KC Chiefs history
By Grant Tuttle
The Chiefs have had a lot of different receivers over the years. While many live in the hearts of Chiefs fans, Tyreek Hill is already the best in franchise history.
The K.C. Chiefs have had a history of electric offenses and stifling defenses. On the “Chiefs Mount Rushmore,” you could include many different combinations of players and coaches. If asked the question, I would assume that you would hear the following people mentioned the most: Derrick Thomas, Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Tony Gonzalez, Jamaal Charles, and Travis Kelce.
One name that should be considered in addition to these names is Tyreek Hill. Hill, at age 27, is already the best wide receiver in Kansas City Chiefs history. (Note: For a peak behind the curtain, I began writing this before Hill’s incredible game on Sunday.)
The eye test alone can tell you that Hill is an incredible athlete. While he may not be able to defeat Usain Bolt in a footrace as he claims, he is likely one of the fastest players in NFL history. Combining that speed with his ability to high point the ball is extremely difficult for NFL defenses to contain. As a pure playmaker, it is hard to argue that anyone in Chiefs history matches up with Hill at the wide receiver position and the statistics back that up.
Per Pro Football Reference, Hill (in five seasons) has the 8th most receiving yards in franchise history behind the likes of Tony Gonzalez (11 seasons), Travis Kelce (7 seasons), Otis Taylor (10 seasons), Dwayne Bowe (7 seasons), Henry Marshall (11 seasons), Carlos Carson (9 seasons), and Stephone Paige (8 seasons).
At first glance, it notable is that the top two receivers are tight ends. Furthermore, it may appear that Hill has a long way to go to top some of the receivers on this list. While he does have to make up a little ground, one can’t help but notice how much he has accomplished in a mere five seasons as opposed to the other players’ lengthy careers. Here are the full top ten stats on receivers in Chiefs history:
1.Tony Gonzalez: 916 receptions, 10940 yards, 11.9 yards per reception, 76 touchdowns, and 57.6 yards per game.
2. Travis Kelce: 618 receptions, 7957 yards, 12.9 yards per reception, 50 touchdowns, and 71 yards per game.
3. Otis Taylor: 410 receptions, 7306 yards, 17.8 yards per reception, 57 touchdowns, and 56.2 yards per game.
4. Dwayne Bowe: 532 receptions, 7155 yards, 13.4 yards per reception, 44 touchdowns, and 60.6 yards per game.
5. Henry Marshall: 416 receptions, 6545 yards, 15.7 yards per reception, 33 touchdowns, and 39.7 yards per game.
6. Carlos Carson: 352 receptions, 6360 yards, 18.1 yards per reception, 33 touchdowns, 53 yards per game.
7. Stephone Paige: 377 receptions, 6341 yards, 16.8 yards per reception, 49 touchdowns, 50.7 yards per game.
8. Tyreek Hill: 379 receptions, 5588 yards, 14.7 yards per reception, 48 touchdowns, and 74.5 yards per game.
9. Chris Burford: 391 receptions, 5505 yards, 14.1 yards per reception, 55 touchdowns, and 53.4 yards per game.
10. Eddie Kennison: 321 receptions, 5230 yards, 16.3 yards per reception, 25 touchdowns, 57.5 yards per game.
This list makes Hill’s accomplishments in five seasons all the more astonishing. Hill passed Chris Burford after posting a near-200 yard game against the Browns last week. The wildest thing about this list is that Hill has an extra game per season and could conceivably be the Chiefs 5th all-time leading receiver by the end of the 2021-2022 season.
After that, at his current pace of 1,347 yards per season, Hill is would be on pace to be behind only Tony Gonzalez in all-time Chiefs receiving yards. Of course, that would be if Kelce never played another down.
Tyreek Hill is likely going to be in the top three in career receiving yards by the end of his Kansas City career. It is possible that if hill can play until he is 33 or 34, as some greats do, he could be in elite company and at the top of the Chiefs leading receiving list. In short order, however, it should be expected that Hill will take over Otis Taylor for the top wide receiver in terms of yards.
Due to Hill’s incredible athleticism, impact on the team’s offense, and historic pace there shouldn’t be any doubt: Tyreek Hill is the greatest wide receiver in Chiefs history.