Judging solely by the stat sheet, Tyreek Hill's days in a discussion of the National Football League's top wideouts looked numbered.
The 2024 campaign was a frustrating one for the Miami Dolphins all around, and Hill himself was a part of that. Miami's offense was a shell of its former self last year, which led to lackluster production from Hill and Jaylen Waddle (and anyone else expected to put up significant totals).
That hasn't stopped anyone in the know from ranking Hill among the very best in the business at his position. This year's list of the [top-ranked wide receivers in the NFL](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45689023/top-10-nfl-wide-receivers-execs-scouts-2025-espn-jeremy-fowler-position-rankings) is out from ESPN, as compiled by Jeremy Fowler, and the anonymous survey of coaches, scouts, and execs has placed Hill at No. 3 overall.
Don't believe anything you hear about Tyreek Hill's supposed demise.
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This spot might surprise the average NFL fan. After all, Hill had his lowest total of yards/game since his rookie campaign in Kansas City back in 2015—a year the Chiefs spent easing Hill into the NFL with more scripted plays and return duties. The end result was 81 catches for 959 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Given that Hill averaged 109 catches, 1,506 yards, and 11 touchdowns over the previous four years, the 2024 season looked like Hill had finally hit the wall. The narrative made even more sense knowing that Hill had finally turned 30 years old. Every receiver will eventually show his age, and casual fans will likely believe Hill is a man in decline.
Not so, say those who know him best around the NFL. Fowler quotes one unnamed NFC front office exec who believes Hill, a fifth-round choice of the Chiefs in the 2015 draft, hasn't lost anything. "He dictates so much. His speed hasn't fallen off, despite the down year."
Miami's offensive struggles last year shouldn't be pinned on Hill at all. Teams were hyper-focused on limiting the Dolphins' vertical passing game last year, much in the same way the Chiefs saw defenses shift their safeties high in Hill's days in K.C. That changed the entire makeup of Miami's offense.
Injuries and offensive line issues were also to blame. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed several games due to another concussion and a late-season hip concern. The line dealt with injuries all year, especially after losing [center Connor Williams to a torn ACL](https://thelandryhat.com/posts/former-cowboys-starter-connor-williams-suffers-acl-injury-right-before-free-agency-l01hhg01w4qhz). It's also true that Tagovailoa's protection was never that good in the first place.
In an offense built on timing, everything was thrown off—including Tyreek Hill's numbers. On the surface, it looks like a 30-something receiver is exiting his prime. To those on the inside, Hill is still as dynamic as ever, an elite WR who commands the utmost respect from defensive coordinators.