Chiefs rookie receiver Tyreek Hill thrives as he gets more playing time

Despite a positive result, via a stunning 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers, the Chiefs’ passing game was not as efficient as anyone would have liked on Sunday.

But there was at least one bright spot. With No. 1 receiver Jeremy Maclin out, it was rookie Tyreek Hill — not No. 2 receiver Chris Conley, not No. 3 receiver Albert Wilson — who dominated the touches and catches.

Hill, who logged fewer snaps (39) than Wilson (46) and Conley (54), was still targeted a game-high 13 times, more than Wilson and Conley combined (10).

What’s more, Hill finished with game highs in catches (10) and yards (89), yet another indication that a player who was initially touted as a dangerous returner when he was drafted amid controversy in May is regarded within the organization as more than that.

“What’s that one sandwich shop (with the motto) freaky fast?” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Well, he’s freaky fast. Which doesn’t hurt.”

Those words confirm what David Culley, Reid’s longtime receivers coach, said about Hill during the bye week. Culley said Hill has the potential to be a starting outside receiver in this offense, either at the “X” or “Z” spots, with the latter being the premier position.

“We’d been increasing it every week,” Reid said. “It’s kind of according to the game plan. But I would tell you this; we’re not hesitant to put him in there and play him.”

Indeed. Since week two, Hill’s snaps have risen steadily every week, cresting in his season-high workload Sunday.

And while Hill has only logged 30 percent of the team’s offensive snaps this year, he leads the team in receiving touchdowns (four), is second in receptions (32) and is fourth in receiving yards (323).

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, who completed 25 of 38 passes for 178 yards against the Panthers, said he’s not surprised by Hill’s effectiveness.

“This isn’t a guy that I think you can box in as a speed guy, quickness guy, inside guy,” Smith said. “He can do a lot, and I think he showed a lot of that (Sunday) by outrunning you, getting yards after the catch.”

Smith was referring, in particular, to one eye-opening play Hill made Sunday, when he caught a short pass on a slant route, made cornerback Daryl Worley miss with a spin move and sprinted 27 yards for a first down.

One other thing about that play: Hill was lined up as an outside receiver, a position he spent most of his time at Sunday, a positive sign as it relates to his future usage.

“He had a lot on his plate,” Smith said, “and he handled it really well.”

Of course, none of that was a surprise to Smith, who developed a burgeoning chemistry with Hill in training camp, when the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Hill repeatedly used his elite 4.24 speed and surprising ball skills to win go-balls and earn Smith’s trust.

Want proof? Just look at Smith’s first-quarter interception. Hill, who was running a deep post, had several steps on Worley, and while safety Tre Boston was descending on the play, Smith uncorked the ball anyway, trusting his receiver to make the play. It did not work; Boston jumped the route.

But it was proof that Hill, who also fumbled twice, still has plenty of growth ahead of him, which he is optimistic about reaching.

“If the ball comes to me,” Hill explained, “I’m going to catch it and do my thing.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Chiefs rookie receiver Tyreek Hill thrives as he gets more playing time."