Tyreek Hill praises top draft picks Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Mecole Hardman

In his conversation with beat reporters on Friday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill made it clear that he thinks the team has chosen well with their top picks in each of the last two NFL Drafts. First, he spoke of the team’s first-round selection from last month’s draft: LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

“To be honest, I didn’t even know who that was at first,” he recalled, “but then I looked at his highlights and I was like, ‘Dang this dude is short, but he’s good, he’s cold.’

“I think he’s definitely going to be like a Darren Sproles-type back — come in, scatback — who can catch the ball out of the backfield, get those scrimmage yards when you need them. It is going to be tough.”

But Hill also made it clear that part of the reason Edwards-Helaire will be successful has to do with the plays head coach Andy Reid draws up for his players.

“I feel like with the mind of Andy Reid, anything is possible. He can line you up and gain 15 yards — which is crazy. He just takes over with it. And that’s not taking away from the amazing athletes that we have. Just saying: Coach Reid is a wizard with the way he draws these plays up.”

Then Hill spoke about team’s top pick from last season: fellow wide receiver Mecole Hardman.

WR Mecole Hardman

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

“I think Mecole is going to continue to be a heckuva player — but it’s all about mindset,” he said. “I feel like if he continues to do what he has done in the past and work his butt off, he’s going to be amazing.

“There is no ceiling for this kid. I feel like he’s definitely a 1,000-yard receiver every year — with the targets, obviously. He’s just got to continue to work. He’s got to be different. He’s got to find something to be different at every year. It just can’t be speed. It just can’t be relying on outrunning everyone — because sometimes, it’s going to be a contested catch. Sometimes, it’s going to be — you got to get off a jam. You got to work on those things.”

Hill would know. His emergence as one of the NFL’s elite receivers has as much to do with the route-running ability he’s developed as it does with his raw speed; not every NFL receiver can pull off “2-3 Jet Chip Wasp.”

But Hill has confidence that Hardman will put in the work.

“I feel like he is going to work on those things because he wants to be great. He wants to be a part of this offense. And then, he likes a challenge — so he’s going to be great.”