Kansas City Chiefs - Fantasy News

Tyreek Hill 2017 Fantasy Projections

by Adam Markowitz

8/11/17

NFL

Kansas City Chiefs

As a fifth-round draft pick out of the University of West Alabama, Tyreek Hill came out of nowhere to rack up 860 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns during his rookie season. Hill also added three special teams touchdowns, and scored more fantasy points than both DeAndre Hopkins and Allen Robinson. With last season's No. 1 receiver, Jeremy Maclin, out of the picture, Hill has an even bigger opportunity to excel with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.

Why Tyreek Hill Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Football Stud

Hill didn't really get on the Dober fantasy radar until midway through the season when he caught five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown (18.3 Dober Fantasy Points) against the Indianapolis Colts. After a dud of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was good for just 2.6 DFPs, Hill followed up with 10 catches for 89 yards (13.9 DFPs). He was a must-start player for the rest of the season.

Hill's most productive game came against one of the top defenses in the league. Against the Denver Broncos, Hill scored on a run, pass reception and kick return, something no rookie had done since former Chicago Bears Hall of Famer, Gale Sayers, in 1965. 

The way Hill scored the touchdowns was most impressive. Playing on NBC's Sunday Night Football, Hill, who was clocked as the fastest player in the NFL in 2016, took a free kick 86 yards untouched. He then caught a 3-yard touchdown from Alex Smith with 12 seconds remaining to allow the Chiefs to tie the game, which they went on to win in overtime.

In a Christmas Day rematch with the division rival Broncos, Hill had 95 yards rushing and a touchdown. In between, Hill added six receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown in another division win against the Oakland Raiders.

Hill did most of his damage with Maclin either out entirely or trying to play through a torn groin. After his release from Kansas City, Maclin is now a Baltimore Raven, leaving Hill as the Chiefs' No. 1 target, and most versatile weapon.

Why Tyreek Hill Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Football Dud

Hill is far from a typical NFL receiver. He had two games at the end of the last season with zero catches, and was bailed out by big rushing games: 68 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans and 95 yards and a touchdown against Denver. With the addition of Kareem Hunt in the draft to join Spencer Ware, the Chiefs may simply have less need to give Hill, who is undersized at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, the ball out of the backfield.

While Hill is the Chiefs' No. 1 receiver on the depth chart, he's not likely to be their biggest threat in the passing game. That distinction belongs to tight end Travis Kelce, who had 117 targets last season, compared to Hill's 83.

Led by Smith at quarterback, Hill also plays in one of the more conservative offenses in the NFL. With the Chiefs unlikely to open up the passing game, Hill will once again have to depend on game-breaking plays.

Despite a perceived bigger role on offense in 2017, Hill is reported to get less touches on special teams. Those aided him in scoring 12 total touchdowns last season, a number that will be difficult to top.