The NFL draft never goes quite like anyone thinks. All the mocks and grades don’t mean squat when things are put in motion and so many moving parts begin to clang against each other. But if you’re a Buckeye fan, you were a bit perplexed by the fall of wide-receiver K.J. Hill.
Most draft projections had Hill going somewhere in the middle rounds. He showed out at the Senior Bowl and had a very, very productive career at Ohio State. He may not be the fastest guy out there, but his route running got him open plenty (just turn on the tape).
Still, as the draft went on, Hill kept plunging further and further as more and more receivers were taken off the board, some that weren’t even a part of most draft projections. Thirty-three pass catchers were taken before Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions finally had his name called in the seventh round (33!).
Look, I know it was a deep wide-receiver class, but that’s crazy for a guy that has the character, work ethic, hands, route-running, and production the four-year starter in Columbus has.
Ohio St. WR KJ Hill will be a guy to watch this year! He pulled in 70 catches for 885 yards on a team that featured Redskins WR Terry McLaurin & Colts WR Paris Campbell. He kills it down the seem and always gets his YAC. Starts off this clip with a sick one handed catch! pic.twitter.com/Fj5LBkGLpO
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) June 9, 2019
For Ryan Day, he could barely fathom it. During a press-conference Sunday to discuss the draft, the Ohio State head coach was asked disappointing draft moments, and he singled out Hill first of anyone.
“That one I don’t understand,” said Day. “To see him go in the seventh round…. most productive receiver in Ohio State history.” He went on to say the Chargers got a steal.
It’s really hard to disagree too. Hill went against much better defensive backs throughout his career than some other names from schools that faced lesser competition. As is the case a lot of times, the NFL types fall in love with potential and numbers rather than what a guy has proven to be.
In the case of Hill, don’t be surprised if he goes from a seventh-round pick to a starter somewhere in the NFL. He’s that type of talent, and he comes from some really good coaching.