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SiriusXM’s NFL Radio team visited Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph on Monday afternoon, and Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt had the opportunity to speak to wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
One of the topics of discussion was the Chiefs’ decision to bring in Sammy Watkins in the offseason, a move that bolstered the offensive firepower the Chiefs have to work with.
Watkins finished 2017 with 39 catches for 593 yards and eight touchdowns as a Los Angeles Rams, and seven of those touchdowns came inside the red zone.
“When I think of us, I think of the LeBron and D-Wade combo all the time,” Hill said, referring to the dream team LeBron James and Dwyane Wade created on the Miami Heat from 2014-’18. “We’re always talking, we’re always trying to outdo each other. We’re always competing. We’re always trying to get the most catches at practice, things like that.
“I think the addition of Sammy’s great. (general manager Brett) Veach, coach (Andy) Reid, they understand what’s going on, so that they know that we need big-play threats all over the field. If they’re with it, I’m with it. Let’s ball, baby. Let’s get this thing rolling.”
Hill played a significant role in former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith becoming the league’s most efficient deep-throwing passer in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus.
Hill had 628 yards on those deep passes, the best mark in the NFL. That trend should continue as the Chiefs transition to Mahomes.
“There’s going to be a whole lot of big plays this year, so it’s going to be crazy,” Hill said. “That’s got to be the most exciting thing right there, big plays. … You definitely can tell that Pat has the mindset of going deep every play with his arm talent. As a receiver, you be like, ‘Yeah, throw me the ball deep.’ Even if you’re covered, you’re like, ‘Throw me the ball deep, I can beat the guy.’
Last year, Hill finished seventh in the league in receiving yards with 1,183. There is a legitimate chance that total increases with Mahomes.