Since his arrival to the NFL via the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been lauded for his elite speed. Universally recognized as the league’s fastest player, there has always been questions about Hill’s hands. While he makes a ton of dynamic plays and tough catches, he’s also been known to have one of the highest drop rates amongst wide receivers.
During a recent episode of the “Club Shay Shay,” podcast, host Shannon Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest receiving tight ends the league has ever seen, was joined by former NFL wideout Steve Smith, who cracked the ballot for the first time in 2022. During the segment, the two talked about Hill and his play since joining the Dolphins this offseason, and his hands came into play.
Smith had this to say:
“Tyreek Hill is fantastic, he’s Cheetah. He runs faster than anyone I’ve known at wide receiver.”
Sharpe replied, “This is not a knock, but he’s a natural catcher of the ball.”
Smith countered, “He’s not a pure hands catcher.”
.@SteveSmithSr89 questions Tyreek Hill’s hands 👀
“He’s faster than anyone I know at WR…However, and I’m not speaking out of hate, but he’s not a PURE hands catcher.” pic.twitter.com/RErZvlJAQl
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) October 19, 2022
What Sharpe and Smith are saying is true, Hill doesn’t catch the ball with his hands most of the time, instead opting to use body to help secure those deep downfield bombs.
Hill Claps Back As Only He Can Do
The loquacious Hill has never been one to hold back his opinion, especially when it’s in defense of a shot at his ability. He wasn’t about to waste this opportunity to fire back. But he did it respectfully, taking to his Instagram to post pics of himself making some great grabs with his hands. He captioned it with this:
“24 hours to respond… Respect both of you greats.”
Hill has definitely made some amazing grabs during his NFL career. When you’ve accrued 579 receptions for over 7,300 yards and 79 touchdowns, there’s plenty of highlights of Hill making the “hands catch.” But more often than not he doesn’t use his hands to make catches, and that’s a fact.
• 12 catches for 177 yards from @cheetah
• 3rd 100+ yard game of the season for @D1__JW
• 2 TDs for @mikegesickiTake a look #InsideTheNumbers from #MINvsMIA. 📊⤵️
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 18, 2022
Hill Leads NFL In Yards, Second In Receptions
Thus far in 2022, Hill ranks first in receiving yards with 701, and he’s second to Los Angeles Rams and reigning Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp in receptions with 50. While he’s only touched paydirt twice this season, a lot of that has to do with starting QB Tua Tagovailoa being out following a serious concussion.
Just @cheetah things. 🐆 pic.twitter.com/gvQWOgzIV7
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 17, 2022
With Tagovailoa expected back this week, Hill should see a bump in his production again, as first-year head coach Mike McDaniel has made it a point to get Reek the ball as often as possible in South Beach.
