NFL: 5 possible cover athletes for the new Backyard Football game
By Asher Fair
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
There are plenty of wide receivers who could have been included here, including but not limited to Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb, and Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase.
But it says something about Tyreek Hill that NFL players voted the Miami Dolphins star wideout as the best player in the world in this year’s NFL Top 100, marking the first time a quarterback didn’t take the top spot since Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald won it in 2019.
In 13 previous editions of the annual list, no wide receiver had ever landed at No. 1.
Since being traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Dolphins in 2022, Hill has recorded back-to-back 119-catch seasons with at least 1,700 yards. His success played a huge role in Tua Tagovailoa finishing the 2023 season as the league’s leading passer, just one year after finishing as the highest rated passer.
Hill’s presence turned Tagovailoa from a struggling young quarterback into a Pro Bowler, and I’m sure there are quite a few Backyard Kids who would love to have the “Cheetah” as their top offensive weapon as well.