Looking to upgrade the supporting cast around Tua Tagovailoa and add some explosiveness to their offense, the Miami Dolphins made a huge trade this offseason acquiring Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. It was not cheap, as Miami parted with first, second and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft along with a fourth and sixth-round pick in 2023.
On top of the haul of picks sent to Kansas City, the Dolphins signed Hill to the massive extension that he was seeking. The two sides worked out a four-year, $120 million deal with more than $52 million guaranteed. That was the most guaranteed money ever given to a wide receiver and at the time, Hill became the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history based on average annual salary.
It was a sizable risk for the Dolphins and many people questioned the fit. Tagovailoa isn’t known to have the strongest arm, which many thought would limit the impact that Hill was capable of having. Thus far, those people have been proven wrong.
Hill and Tagovailoa have had a great connection from the start. He has lived up to the billing, catching 19 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns. The 284 yards is currently leading the NFL as he and Jaylen Waddle are arguably the most explosive wide receiver duo in the league.
Given his speed and athleticism, there are a lot of difficulties when it comes to trying to slow Hill down. He is virtually impossible to stop without some help, as he torches single-coverage.
Just how impressive has he been? According to PFF, Hill has a grade of 93.1 when going up against single coverage this season, which is tops in the league. He is also first in receptions with eight and first in yardage with 144. Obviously, the Dolphins got a steal when they traded for Hill.
He should continue seeing coverage like that with Waddle opposite of him as teams cannot afford to constantly send double teams his way. Waddle has proven more than capable of being a go-to option.
Teams could start deploying more zone coverages against Miami, which would put more of an emphasis on Tagovailoa taking what is given to him and finding spots in the defense. But, teams cannot afford to sit in the same defense for an entire game as professionals will adjust and find ways to exploit it.
Tyreek Hill will eventually get matched up in single coverage and you can be sure Tagovailoa will be looking his way to take full advantage.
