According to his star quarterback Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton was ‘probably the best player on the field’ during the team’s training camp:
Andrew Luck says the consistency of T.Y. Hilton was impressive all camp. "Probably the best player on the field."
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 11, 2016
Luck on T.Y.: "He's carrying on the tradition of great, hard-working practice wide receivers on this team. He's special. Fun to play with."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 11, 2016
It doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise, as Hilton has consistently drawn rave reviews during the team’s OTA’s and training camp practices this year, as well as in recent offseasons.
With Luck missing 9 games due to injuries, Hilton’s receiving game dipped a bit last season, but he still managed to catch 69 receptions for 1,124 receiving yards and 5 touchdown receptions en route to making a consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.
It’s not that Hilton wasn’t still very, very good, but his deep receiving game suffered as 40 year old backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck simply didn’t have the same zip on long throws as the 26 year old Luck.
Having a healthy Luck now, the 5th-year wideout could make the jump from being one of the NFL’s best wide receivers into the company of the game’s truly elite.
Blessed with incredible speed, agility, and explosiveness, the diminutive, yet incredibly dangerous Hilton remains one of the best deep threats in the NFL, as well as the Colts top weapon.
It’s just a matter of whether Hilton can take his receiving game to the next level this upcoming season.