The Kansas City Chiefs believe they have a returner comparable to Devin Hester in rookie Tyreek Hill, who the team controversially drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
“When you evaluate players, you always compare them to other people,’’ Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said, via ESPN. “[Hill is] a dynamic returner. You can see it clearly on tape, his speed. I probably said a couple of [times] that he’s Devin Hester-ish. To compare him directly to Devin Hester, that’s not fair to the kid. It’s not fair to Devin. It was a conversation we had in the draft room.’’
The Chicago Bears’ special teams coordinator from 2004 to 2012, Toub coached Hester during the bulk of his prime years. The four-time Pro Bowl returner has since set NFL records for both total returns for touchdowns (20) and punt returns for touchdowns (14).
Hill is entering the NFL with an impressive past of finding the end zone as a returner.
The former Oklahoma State star returned one punt and two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2014. After a domestic assault arrest lead to his dismissal from the Cowboys football program, Hill landed at West Alabama for the 2015 season, when he returned two more punts and two more kickoffs for scores.
The 5’10”, 185-pound Hill has game-breaking speed, much like Hester. According to ESPN, Hill ran the 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds at his pre-draft pro day. Hester was once clocked in the 4.2-second range, although he ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds at the 2006 NFL Combine.
The Chiefs have already witnessed Hill’s speed first-hand.
“His top speed is second to none,” Toub said. “Four-two-five? That speed is real. That’s one thing we’ve learned over the last month is that he’s got legitimate speed.’’
Comparing any first-year returner to Hester is like comparing a rookie quarterback to Peyton Manning. But if any coach is in position to make the comparison, it’s Toub. The Chiefs could have a game-breaking special teams weapon if Toub’s assessment of Hill is anywhere close to correct.
