Tag: K.J. Hill Chargers

Chargers WR K.J. Hill listed as one of NFL’s top instant impact rookie candidates

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver K.J. Hill is out to prove the doubters wrong.

The Chargers entered the draft in need of shoring up the wide receiver room. They drafted Joe Reed in the fifth-round. Two rounds later, they snagged K.J. Hill in a surprising fashion.

Throughout the pre-draft process Hill was tabbed as a high-upside mid-round pick, but an underwhelming 40-yard dash time at the combine pushed him down in a deep wide receiver class.

“Every receiver that got picked before me, watching it, seeing it happen. I’m just taking that as fuel and putting that in the back of my head and remembering it every time I’m on the field, and remembering where I got picked and the guys that got picked before me,” Hill said per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

Many couldn’t believe that Hill fell to the seventh-round. However, his landing spot is unlikely to represent the type of production he will put together in the NFL, given his impressive collegiate career.

As a matter of fact, he’s more than likely to outproduce where he was taken. But it wouldn’t be surprising if he does so in his rookie season. USA Today’s Nate Davis believes that he will.

You don’t want to expect too much from a Round 7 selection, but Hill’s got a shot to make his mark with the Bolts, who got almost no production from wide receivers last year aside from starters Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Ohio State’s all-time leader with 201 receptions, Hill certainly has the ability to move the chains on third down while working underneath and could be a guy a conservative QB like Tyrod Taylor might look for.

There are two things that Hill is exceptional at: route-running and catching the football. Both of them are required to excel at the NFL level, and Hill demonstrated them at a high level at Ohio State in his four years, which resulted in becoming the school’s all-time reception leader (201).

His lack of speed or reps outside limits him to slot-only duties, which is where Keenan Allen plays. However, Allen has experience on the outside, which would allow Hill to be on the field at the same time without hindering the rest of the alignment.

Hill’s ability to win underneath would give Tyrod Taylor, who does well connecting on shorter routes, a solid option.

Hill enters training camp in competition for the No. 3 job along with Reed, Andre Patton, Darius Jennings, among others. But the former Buckeye’s skillset and mature makeup should help earn him the third spot, if not, significant playing time in Year 1.

Cris Carter talks Chargers WR K.J. Hill’s success in college, forecasts NFL career

Hall of Famer Cris Carter talks about how K.J. Hill’s consistency at Ohio State will translate to the next level, along with more.

Chargers rookie wide receiver K.J. Hill is known for one major accomplishment at Ohio State.

Hill left as the Buckeye’s reception leader with 201 catches, surpassing the the likes of Michael Jenkins, Boston Scott and Hall of Famer Cris Carter.

Hill wouldn’t have made the record books if it wasn’t for the advice of Carter. Carter persuaded Hill to stay in college for his senior season rather than making the leap to the NFL.

“I think sometimes when you’re in pursuit of an NFL career, you lose sight of what you went to college for. I also believe that there are skills that he could show in his senior year that would give him potential to have a longer career,” Carter said.

Hill could’ve joined his former teammates Parris Campbell (Colts) and Terry McLaurin (Redskins) in being drafted last year, but the advice of Carter’s paid off in 2019 for Hill.

“It’s always a lot of pressure to put up good numbers because guys want to be drafted high and earn senior awards. And when you’re on a team that’s in the top-5 for the most part, you have to sacrifice. He never got selfish and chase stats compared to being a leader, being consistent, continuing to develop as a football player, and he ended up having a heck of a season.”

Carter highlighted his strengths that helped him become the all-time receiving leader for the Buckeyes which include great hands, route-running ability, and understanding leverage. He also mentioned that the majority of the guys that he surpassed to get the record went on to have great careers at the next level, and he expects the same for Hill.

Going into the draft, Hill was projected as a mid-round pick by many draft analysts but instead, he saw himself slip to Day 3 in a surprising manner. The Chargers weren’t anticipating selecting a wide receiver in the seventh-round having already taken a wideout two rounds before that (Joe Reed). But a player like Hill was too hard to pass up on.

Considered being overlooked on draft day, Hill now has the opportunity to make the other 31 teams that passed on him regret their decisions because not only is Los Angeles getting a good player, but a good person, as well.

“He’s really developed since he’s come to Ohio State, on and off the field. He’s been very, very consistent. He played on the outside and inside. He’s also played on special teams, and I believe he can win a job in the NFL because of his overall versatility,” Carter said.

“And having guys around him that were recruited over him, because that’s what he’s got there with the Chargers. If he’s going to be a slot receiver, he will have Keenan Allen there, which allows him to learn from one of the absolute bests.”

Being able to learn from Ohio State’s wide receiver coach Brian Hartline to Allen now should pay huge dividends. With the traits, skillset and mentorship he’s receiving, Hill will look to leave his mark with the Chargers, just like how he did with the Buckeyes.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ selection of WR K.J. Hill

The Los Angeles Chargers got incredible value with the selection of wide receiver K.J. Hill.

The Chargers rounded out their draft class with the selection of former Ohio State wide receiver K.J. Hill.

It’s safe to say that fans of the team were excited when the pick was announced.

Here’s a look at Twitter:

Why Chargers fans should be excited about new WR K.J. Hill

The Los Angeles Chargers got a steal with their seventh-round pick.

The Chargers drafted Joe Reed in the fifth-round, but the additions didn’t stop there.

Los Angeles drafted former Ohio State WR K.J. Hill with their final pick in the draft (No. 220).

Getting Hill in the seventh-round is an absolute steal. He finished as my No. 93 overall player and 14th-ranked wide receiver on my top-100 big board.

Hill is an efficient route runner from the slot who possesses the short-area quickness, hands, and flashes of playmaking ability. His lack of size, strength and speed holds him back, but he knows how to consistently get open to mask the deficiencies.

Along with being a technician in the route-running department, Hill has a knack for making acrobatic catches and plenty of third-down & red zone conversions. In addition to that, he is an outstanding blocker.

Hill and Reed join a wide receiver room that features Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Andre Patton and Darius Jennings.

Prior to the draft, this position needed attention. The selection of Reed was solid, but getting Hill in the seventh-round is an absolute home run.