He hasn’t even turned 30 yet, but it’s lock already that he’ll be wearing a gold jacket to be enshrined into football’s most exclusive club.
Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill is already a Hall of Famer. Case closed.
Don’t take our word for it. Look at the evidence. Analyze the impact and check the tape. The only question at this point to be decided: Who will present the speedster at the ceremony?
Each of the stats cited below in a vacuum may not get a player into the Hall alone. Taking all five as a group, however, Hill already has the credentials. Below is PlayFL’s breakdown of Hill’s candidacy for Canton and how he stacks up against other receivers in the Hall:
Stat 1: 12 touchdowns as a rookie
Hill immediately made a difference for the Chiefs after the Oklahoma State star was chosen in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. His 12 overall touchdowns were tied for seventh in the league, tops among all rookies. His three return scores led the NFL. Hill’s instant impact on the league led him to be named first-team All-Pro.
Rookie touchdowns for WRs, last 10 seasons
| Name | Team | No. of TDs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ja'Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals | 13 | 2021 |
| Tyreek Hill | Kansas City Chiefs | 12 | 2016 |
| Odell Beckham | New York Giants | 12 | 2014 |
| Mike Evans | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 12 | 2014 |
| Chase Claypool | Pittsburgh Steelers | 11 | 2020 |
| Calvin Ridley | Atlanta Falcons | 10 | 2018 |
| Kelvin Benjamin | Carolina Panthers | 9 | 2014 |
| AJ Brown | Tennessee Titans | 9 | 2019 |
| Christian Watson | Green Bay Packers | 9 | 2022 |
Stat 2: Setting the pace at scoring 76 touchdowns in first seven years
Add up all of the scores Hill has collected, and he’s near the top of the list of touchdowns for players after their first seven seasons with 76. Hill has taken it to the house via catch, rush, punt return, kickoff return and yes, fumble return. The Cheetah’s 10.9 TDs per season are the most in the league since he was drafted. The only receivers with more scores in their first seven seasons: Jerry Rice and Randy Moss, quite possibly the best two catchers to ever play the game. The other five receivers in the top six are all in the Hall of Fame.
| Name | Team(s) | TDs | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Rice | San Francisco 49ers | 97 | 1985-1991 |
| Randy Moss | Minnesota Vikings | 91 | 1998-2004 |
| Tyreek Hill | Kansas City Chiefs/Miami Dolphins | 76 | 2016-2022 |
| Lance Alworth | San Diego Chargers | 75 | 1962-1968 |
| Terrell Owens | San Francisco 49ers | 74 | 1996-2002 |
| Marvin Harrison | Indianapolis Colts | 73 | 1996-2002 |
Stat 3: Seven seasons, seven Pro Bowls
Hill has been the best player at his position since he entered the league, and he’s been honored as such through those seven seasons. Every year, he’s been tabbed to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl. Only 10 players have done this in their NFL career. Former Cincinnati Bengals star A.J. Green is the only receiver to achieve those honors. Hall of Famers Moss, Rice, Lance Alworth, Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison came up short. The first six players on the list below are enshrined in Canton.
| Name | Team(s) | Position | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | RB | 1957-1963 |
| Merlin Olsen | Los Angeles Rams | DT | 1962-1968 |
| Mel Renfro | Dallas Cowboys | DB | 1964-1970 |
| Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | LB | 1981-1987 |
| Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | RB | 1989-1995 |
| Joe Thomas | Cleveland Browns | OL | 2007-2013 |
| Patrick Willis | San Francisco 49ers | LB | 2007-2013 |
| AJ Green | Cincinnati Bengals | WR | 2011-2017 |
| Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | DL | 2014-2020 |
| Tyreek Hill | Miami Dolphins | WR | 2016-2022 |
Stat 4: Four First-team All-Pro selections as a WR
In his first seven seasons, Hill has been at the top, and there’s only one stat that matters defining that honor: being voted first-team All-Pro. Only four receivers in NFL history has been tabbed first-team All-Pro more: Rice, Alworth, Owens and Don Hutson. All have busts in Canton.
| Name | Total First-team All-Pro selections |
Total All-Pro Selections |
Seasons played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Rice | 10 | 11 | 21 |
| Lance Alworth | 6 | 7 | 11 |
| Don Hutson | 6 | 6 | 11 |
| Terrell Owens | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| Antonio Brown | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| Randy Moss | 4 | 4 | 15 |
| Tyreek Hill | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Marvin Harrison | 3 | 8 | 13 |
| Raymond Berry | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| Julio Jones | 2 | 5 | 12 |
| Steve Largent | 2 | 5 | 14 |
| Paul Warfield | 2 | 4 | 14 |
| Andre Johnson | 2 | 4 | 14 |
Stat 5: 8,340 receiving yards
Hill has averaged 1,191 receiving yards per season in his seven years in the league. Only nine players have averaged more over their first seven years as a pro. Four of the six retired players are in the Hall of Fame.
Total yards receiving, first seven years in NFL
| Name | Yards | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Torry Holt | 9.487 | 1999-2005 |
| Calvin Johnson | 9,328 | 2007-2013 |
| Randy Moss | 9,142 | 1998-2004 |
| Jerry Rice | 9,072 | 1985-1991 |
| Julio Jones | 9,054 | 2011-2017 |
| Marvin Harrison | 8,800 | 1996-2002 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 8,602 | 2013-2019 |
| Antonio Brown | 8,377 | 2010-2016 |
| Chad Johnson | 8,365 | 2001-2007 |
| Tyreek Hill | 8,340 | 2016-2022 |
One other consideration: If Hill’s career ended today
Some NFL stars have called it quits relatively quickly because of injury or personal decision. Arguably the NFL’s best running back ever, Jim Brown, retired after only nine seasons. Barry Sanders sent in his resignation letter after 10 years at the age of 30. Fellow Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson shocked the league, calling it quits after nine seasons. Hill has played only seven seasons. If he called it career before week one of the 2023 season, his stats stack up.
There are only two modern-day offensive skill position players who played eight seasons or less and made it to Canton. Running back Terrell Davis put up 8,880 yards and 65 TDs over seven seasons with the Denver Broncos. Bruiser Earl Campbell rushed for 10,213 yards and 74 touchdowns over eight seasons. Hill’s 9,091 scrimmage yards and 76 total touchdowns keep pace.
