An Analysis of Jets WR Stephen Hill

Nov 26, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Stephen Hill (5) before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Another draft pick the Jets made that has received mix reviews is Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill. However, when you take a closer look, you see that the mixed reviews really aren’t as warranted as some think. Let’s take that closer look now.

In his senior year, he caught only 28 passes. A lot of the experts are latching onto that saying, “He’s a boom or bust pick. Look at his stats, he only caught 28 passes as a senior.” But, you have to consider the offense that he played in.

Georgia Tech’s style isn’t to throw the ball up and down the field. Look at Hill’s percentage in the passing game as a whole. Georgia Tech completed 82 passes last year, with Hill accounting for 28 of them. That amounts to 34% of the Georgia Tech passing offense. Compare that now with the two “top” wide receivers in the draft, Michael Floyd and Justin Blackmon, and the numbers are very interesting:

Floyd:100 receptions out of 302 passes completed-33% Blackmon:121 receptions out of 428 passes completed-28%

So, Stephen Hill was just as much a number one receiver as Floyd or Blackmon, and in Blackmon’s case, Hill was more so.

Secondly, the Jets were in the market for a down the field threat, as they haven’t had a good one since Braylon Edwards departed. But yet, for some reason, the Jets were being most associated with Michael Floyd. My question is, why? Hill averaged 29.3 yards per catch. while Floyd averaged a mere 11.5 yards per catch.

For their college careers? Stephen Hill averaged 25.4 yards per catch, against Floyd’s mere 13.6 yards. Clearly, Hill is the better fit, based on what the Jets were looking for. A deep threat opens it up for the ground and pound, and Stephen Hill will be just that.

Finally, I want to address the knock on him about his route running. “He’s raw.” “He runs only one route.” These comments really get to me. Let’s remind ourselves a bit by looking at some video again:

I look at the video, and I see many different routes being run. I see bubble screens, some comback routes, a backshoulder fade. Yes there are plenty of down the field throws, but there are other routes run as well.

And by the way, if he is “raw”, isn’t that what coach Lal is for? And anyway, who can deny 4.36 speed, and the hands that I just saw in that video. Am I wrong?

Last but not least, let’s say it’s all true, that he doesn’t run good routes. Isn’t there a guy that has made a borderline hall of fame career out of running one route? Let me think………………….

Oct 24, 2010; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss (84) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

I’m just saying………..

There is no reason to knock this pick. The guy can play, and he is the best fit for the Jets at this time.