“It’s been a long time coming. I said I was going to get this since I was a rookie, bro.” Tyreek Hill‘s bold prediction has finally come true, but not without stirring up a storm in the NFL world.
The Miami Dolphins‘ speedster just made history, becoming the first wide receiver ever to claim the top spot in the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players list. As Hill basked in his newfound glory, the video cut back to his rookie year interview where he couldn’t help but poke the bear – or should we say, the GOAT. “I told Tom Brady that too. I belong number one over Tom Brady,” Hill quipped back then, adding a cheeky “Cheetah” for good measure.
But as Hill celebrated, his social media began to light up like a Christmas tree. “My comments and DMs about to be on fire now,” he posted, accurately predicting the fan frenzy that was about to unfold.
My comments and DMs about to be on fire now 😂
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) August 3, 2024
And boy, did the fans have opinions. “You didn’t deserve it, you’ve been nothing since leaving Mahomes,” one disgruntled user fired off. Another chimed in with a more supportive tone, “Congrats Reek! Proud to be a Dolphins fan! Let’s get that Lombardi!” The debate raged on, with one fan noting, “Tyreek I’m a fan of you but it should’ve been mahomes or jackson.”
Amidst the chaos, a voice of reason emerged: “People are these comments acting like some secret group chose Hill. It was literally a vote by his peers. The players vote on this. The players chose Hill.”
Indeed, Hill’s 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular. He led the league with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns, hauling in 119 receptions. His impact was so profound that he amassed 602 receiving yards on quick passes of 10-plus air yards – a staggering 308 yards more than the next closest receiver, according to Next Gen Stats.
Hill’s achievement is even more impressive considering he was chasing Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving record (1,964 yards) before a late-season ankle injury hampered his run at history. As NFL Network noted, “Megatron’s record is no longer an impossible feat thanks to the four-time All-Pro; the same can now be said for wideouts yearning to reach the pinnacle of the Top 100, all thanks to the Cheetah.”
But what about the man Hill dethroned? Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ wizard, found himself slipping to fourth place after holding the top spot last year. Despite leading the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl victory in five years, Mahomes’ regular season numbers took a hit. He threw for 4,183 yards with 27 touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions.
The Quarterback conundrum and the elite ten
While Hill reveled in his historic achievement, the football world couldn’t help but wonder: Was Mahomes’ “slump” really enough to knock him off his pedestal?
The Top 10 list tells an interesting story. Here’s a quick rundown:
1. Tyreek Hill (WR, Dolphins)
2. Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens)
3. Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)
4. Patrick Mahomes (QB, Chiefs)
5. Myles Garrett (DE, Browns)
6. Chris Jones (DT, Chiefs)
7. Trent Williams (OT, 49ers)
8. T.J. Watt (OLB, Steelers)
9. Travis Kelce (TE, Chiefs)
10. Maxx Crosby (DE, Raiders)
Each player on this list had a standout season. Jackson, for instance, won his second MVP award, while McCaffrey led the league in yards from scrimmage (2,023) and touchdowns (21). Garrett earned his first Defensive Player of the Year award, and Williams made history as the highest-ranking offensive lineman ever on the Top 100 list.
Meanwhile, Mahomes’ “down” year is a testament to the impossibly high standards he’s set for himself. Even in a season where he faced challenges with his receiving corps and threw more interceptions than usual, he still managed to guide the Chiefs to the ultimate prize. His playoff performance was particularly impressive, completing 69.8% of his passes for 1,051 yards with a 6:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Looking ahead, both Hill and Mahomes have reasons to be optimistic. Hill will continue to be a focal point in Miami’s high-powered offense, while Mahomes is set to work with an improved receiving corps. The Chiefs have added Xavier Worthy through the draft and signed Hollywood Brown as a free agent, potentially making their offense even more vertical and dangerous.
With the 2024 season on the horizon, both Hill and Mahomes have plenty to prove. Hill will be looking to cement his status as the league’s top player, while Mahomes aims to reclaim his throne. As Hill himself put it, channeling his inner Soulja Boy, “I think I’m Soulja Boy at this point, bro.” Whether he can “crank that” success into another record-breaking season remains to be seen.
