When Tyreek Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins from the Kansas City Chiefs back in the off season, everyone knew the Dolphins’ offense was going to be upgraded and solid — but nobody saw the elite numbers that are now in front of our eyes.
It’s not just with Hill, but with Jaylen Waddle as well. Only in his second year in the league still being fresh out of the University of Alabama, setting up a young and prosperous Waddle with the likes of Tyreek Hill has completely opened up the offense for Tua Tagovailoa, who was teammates with Waddle in Tuscaloosa.
Not just that, but it also makes the other playmakers active, as well. We saw that Oct. 30 with Mike Gesicki’s touchdown catch.
Earning the tag of “The Blur Brothers,” the Hill and Waddle connection has tallied up a total of 1,688 yards combined, which is actually a National Football League (NFL) record. In the first eight weeks of the NFL season, a wide receiver duo has never put up those kinds of numbers in the entire history of the league, according to the NFL’s media research department.
Tyreek Hill (961) and Jaylen Waddle (727) own the most combined receiving yards (1,688) by a duo through the first 8 games of a season in NFL history 🐬pic.twitter.com/L6jBTuSgHX
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 30, 2022
The duo of Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt previously held the record when they suited up for the St. Louis Rams. In the 2000 season, the two would combine for 1,679 yards through the first eight games, just nine less than what Hill and Waddle achieved — and the fact that Hill and Waddle are in the same discussion as Bruce and Holt… pretty iconic, right?
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are in that discussion as well, tying Bruce and Holt’s 1,679 yard mark during the Denver Broncos‘ 2014 season.
With Hill in particular, his first season with the Miami Dolphins has him on pace for 2,042 receiving yards exiting Week 8. If the “Cheetah” continues with these numbers it will be history-making, breaking former Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson’s NFL single-season record that he set in 2012, according to The Football Database. (RELATED: Legendary NFL Coach Becomes Second-Winningest Head Coach Of All Time. Is He The Greatest Ever?)
Just absolutely incredible numbers from both Hill and Waddle, and impressive coaching from the Miami Dolphins to utilize them at an elite level.
As it stands right now, both players are in the top five in the entire league in terms of receiving yards, according to ESPN. With Hill, he’s currently at 961 yards and two touchdowns, while Waddle is tallied at 727 yards and five touchdowns.
Truly historic.
And what’s even scarier with the Miami Dolphins is this offense is still brand-new, and it’s already this good. If they’re already winning football games now, just imagine how they’ll be at the end of the year near playoff time, after everything has completely gelled.
That sounds absolutely terrifying for any opposing defense of this team. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are the best wide receivers in the NFL, hands down. When that offense clicks 100%, it’s over.
Tua, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle trying to be Miami’s new Big Three
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 30, 2022
The only thing Miami needs to clean up is their offensive line, which was already shown earlier this year when Tua Tagovailoa was out of action for three weeks due to a head injury. Tagovailoa gets better and better with each passing game he plays — as a matter of fact, the Dolphins are at an undefeated 5-0 this year with him as their starter.
Without him, they’re winless at 0-3, losing three straight games earlier in the season due to his absence.
However, just imagine how much more effective Tagovailoa could be if he no longer has to throw the ball quickly on a consistent basis. You’re looking at a borderline elite quarterback here, folks. Clean up that offensive line, and Tagovailoa immediately becomes deadly with Hill and Waddle at his disposal.
Easier said than done, especially with offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg being carted off against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 30, but an offensive line can always be bulked up. (RELATED: ‘You Keep Poking The Bear’: Former NFL Wide Receiver Slams Hosts During Interview)
Miami also needs a better running game, though it’s not as vital right now as the offensive line, but it’s another thing the Dolphins should add to their list of needed improvements. Their running back situation is pretty weak at the moment.
But, man… we are looking at a Miami Dolphins franchise that isn’t the same franchise it’s been for the past 20 years. If they tweak some things here and there, the Dolphins could go on to be a Super Bowl team — they’re already a playoff team.
With Miami having the best 1-2 punch in the league with Hill and Waddle, Tagovailoa becoming a top-notch quarterback, and the team having an elite defense (that’s just a little banged up right now), the sky’s the limit.
Keep an eye on those boys in South Beach.