Stephen Hill to Jets: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

We'll forgive you if didn't hear about Stephen Hill during his collegiate career at Georgia Tech. After all, he only had 49 career receptions, albeit for 1,248 yards and nine touchdowns. Hill didn't really register a large presence on the draft radar until the combine. He ran a 4.36 40 and posted a 39.5 inch vertical—which is elite for anybody. When those gifts come in a 6'4" 215-pound frame, we move into physical freak territory. Hill is very inexperienced, but his physical profile is reminiscent of Calvin Johnson or A.J. Green. 

Hill's scouting reports accentuate the positive, but also cast a light on the uncertainty about his future:

NFL.com:

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STRENGTHS

Hill will be a legitimate deep threat at the next level -- by recording nearly 30 yards per catch as a senior, he showed he was capable of going deep and scoring on every play. He consistently runs past corners on deep routes and is impressive at the point of the catch, as he is able to lay out for the ball or rise above his defender. Hill is a very good blocker who uses his length well and surprisingly doesn't get off-balance often, something that is usually evident of players with his frame. 

WEAKNESSES

Hill's value is based purely off his ability as a deep threat. He has average quickness and moves off the line of scrimmage to avoid a jam. He ran a very basic route tree at Georgia Tech that didn't allow him to showcase many skills. Outside of catching jump balls, he struggles to read coverages and understand how to find holes in a zone. Hill looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands and resembles a lengthy track star on the field instead of a football player. He dropped as many big balls as he made big plays; his YPC stat defines him perfectly as a player who is capable of making flash plays but isn't reliable.

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Wes Bunting, National Football Post:

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Showcases good body control when asked to track the football. Locates the throw well, can extend his arms and make acrobatic plays on the football. Knows how to fend off contact down the field. Is a coordinated wide out with good body control, balances himself well when asked to high point the play and can collect himself quickly to go get the football. Showcases "plus" hands at times when asked to pluck off his frame. Exhibits a large set of paws and can snatch cleanly with one hand. However, does have a tendency at times to lose concentration and will put the ball on the ground. Exhibits some wiggle to his game for a bigger receiver with the ball in his hands. Has some natural initial explosion, can change directions and make a cut at full speed, allowing him to side step a defender with the ball in his hands. Exhibits good initial quickness/power as well when asked to side-step/break a tackle in the bubble screen game and is a tough guy initially to bring down. 

...seemed to round off/drift in and out of his breaks. And isn't real sharp or sudden in that area of the game. Watching his short area quickness and body control for a big guy he looks like he can certainly develop in the three-step game and has the skill set to be able to beat press coverage off the line. Is a strong blocker and will get after it in the run game. Can physically get bigger, is tall and long limbed, and I would like to see him add a bit more girth. 

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Stephen Hill should get on the field on passing downs early in his career simply to threaten defenses with his speed. He will change the game plan when he is in the lineup, and that will get him active on game day even if he can only run one route. 

Long-term, Hill could easily be the top wide receiver in this draft. If he is dedicated to his craft and learns how to use the defense playing him on its heels to his advantage, Hill will take over games. However, his inconsistent hands and ways to go before he is a professional also create a bust risk. Either way, his career will be very interesting to watch.

Pick Analysis

The Jets gave up three draft picks to move up and take Hill, which shows you how bare the team is at wideout. With all the money dumped into Mark Sanchez and the extra attention Tebow will Garner, it was prudent to get a game-breaker like Hill.