The Jets have thus far stopped short of labeling the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Stephen Hill a bust, but they did make it a priority this offseason to upgrade their receiving corps, first by getting Eric Decker in free agency, then by selecting three more wideouts in the draft. The message was plain: By no means would Hill be guaranteed a roster spot in 2014.
That's not to say the Jets aren't still doing what they can to help Hill become the player they traded up four spots to get two years ago.
The priority for Hill, first and foremost, is staying healthy and getting his knees to cooperate. His rookie year was cut short by arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, and last season constant swelling in both knees eventually landed him on injured reserve again.
Hill also has to learn how better to use his speed. Part of the reason the Jets so coveted Hill during the 2012 draft was the blazing 40-yard dash time (4.36 seconds) he ran during the combine that winter, the story points out. But speed is only a part of effective route running for a receiver, and that will also be key in Hill's progress. For now, he's ranked just 91st on our list.
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