T.Y. Hilton 2012 NFL Draft scouting report
5’10”, 183 pounds | Wide Receiver | Florida International University
Games Watched: Marshall, Louisville
Body Control: T.Y. Hilton wasn’t asked to make too many plays on deep routes, so it is tough to get a gauge on how strong his body control is. He adjusts to the ball well when coming across the middle, but I didn’t get much of a chance to see him make plays along the sidelines.
Hands: Ball security could be an issue for Hilton in the NFL, but he is a reliable pass catcher. Hilton does have a tendency to let the ball come in to his body on occasion.
Release: T.Y. Hilton displays an incredible burst off the line of scrimmage. However, he is a small player, and strength is a big issue. I think he would get manhandled in press coverage at the next level.
Route Running: While Hilton wasn’t asked to run a tremendously complex route tree at Florida International, his ability to get in and out of his cuts makes him a dangerous route runner in the slot. I saw Hilton use a number of effective head fakes in the games I watched. Also, Hilton has the rare ability to get going in a hurry, so he can blow by defenders on stop-and-go or hesitation-routes.
Size: Hilton’s height and weight leave a lot to be desired, but it’s his strength that concerns me most. He doesn’t seem to have the ability to fight through tackles.
Speed: His 4.34 40-yard dash says it all. The kid can absolutely fly. He might be the fastest receiver I’ve seen in this draft class.
Final Word: T.Y. Hilton has been a popular sleeper pick at wide receiver, and for good reason. He has game-breaking speed and the ability to make people miss in open space. He will likely be returning kicks in the NFL next season, but he has to protect the football better if he is going to stick in that role. Hilton reminds me a bit of Randall Cobb, but he isn't quite as strong.
