Chiefs continue to rave about controversial draft pick Tyreek Hill’s speed

It has become a regular sight since Tyreek Hill was drafted by the Chiefs in May. No. 81, dressed in red, running under a deep ball with a defender helplessly giving chase.

Hill did it two more times Thursday, the Chiefs’ second practice of training camp. And though only rookies and selected veterans were in attendance, it’s worth noting that Hill was doing the same thing during 13 offseason practices earlier this summer, when veterans were participating.

That’s why, for the last three months, teammates and coaches alike have been raving about Hill’s speed. The reaction to his fifth-round selection by the Chiefs has ranged from outrage to concern because of his well-documented past as someone who pleaded guilty to domestic abuse by strangulation. But Hill’s on-field performance explains why the club took a chance, public-relations hit notwithstanding.

“I’ve played against elite speed,” said third-round rookie cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who was teammates at Notre Dame with Texans rookie receiver Will Fuller, who blazed a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. “But I’m telling you, man … Fuller, I love you dog, but Ty might have you, man. He’s that fast. He’s legit that fast. They said he ran like a 9.9 in the 100, and you can see it. No matter who is out there, dude’s fast.”

Russell was beaten by the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Hill for a deep touchdown in Thursday’s practice.

“If you know what he’s going to do, obviously, you can limit his routes and how much space you give him,” Russell said. “But if you just go out there, and the ball is hiked, and you’re playing a guessing game? That’s not a game you want to play a guessing game with.”

Chiefs receiver Mike Williams, who played in Buffalo with Marquise Goodwin — a world-class athlete who participated in the 2012 Olympics and is a contender for the long jump in the upcoming Rio de Janeiro Games — agreed.

“Quick, man,” Williams said when asked about Hill. “Fast. That speed. I played with Goodwin in Buffalo, and I haven’t seen anything like this. He’s quick and fast, and I can’t wait till the world gets to see him.”

Cornerback Phillip Gaines even went so far as to call Hill a “special” player Wednesday, despite the fact the Chiefs haven’t donned pads yet.

“It’s hard to find a combination of quickness and speed, and he has both, you know,” Gaines said. “He has speed that many people in this world can’t match. He has the combination of quickness to get in and out of breaks. He definitely is a hard cover, so whoever has to go up against him, it’s going to be tough. If he continues to work, and which he does, then he’ll be a pretty decent player.”

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said Hill stood out during organized team activities because of his consistent play, which is not typical for rookies.

“It’s easy for young guys to show flash here and there,” Smith said. “I think when you look back at OTAs as a whole, he’s a guy that would show up a lot daily. He was doing a lot of different things. I’m excited to be equipped with him and a lot of the young guys to see what they can do and see where they can help us.”

Smith said that to make an impact, Hill will need to continue to master the playbook and brush up on the details of the offense. Chiefs coach Andy Reid agreed as it relates to Hill and fellow rookie Demarcus Robinson, a fourth-round pick.

“Today you’ve got this many plays, and then you continue to add things on,” Reid said. “Are you going to continue with the details each day as the install gets bigger and lengthier each day? That’ll be their challenge. They’re smart kids, and they handled it during OTAs. Now, can they handle it now when we’re out here in the heat, the uniforms are on, and it’s live?”

Veterans report to camp on Friday, and the Chiefs’ first full-squad practice — the first of 14 open to the public — is Saturday. That’s when Hill will also find out how he’s received by the fans, though his early experiences have been positive.

“When I go in town, the fans are great. They have (their) arms open to me,” Hill said in June. “They’re like, ‘We’re so glad to have you.’ It’s all love. I’m thankful they want me. As a player, that makes me feel good inside, like, ‘Hey, people are looking past all that stuff.’ I’m just happy people are accepting me.”

This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Chiefs continue to rave about controversial draft pick Tyreek Hill’s speed."