This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
Prior to leaving Mississippi State for Florida, head coach Dan Mullen recruited a lot of good talent to the Bulldogs, and Hill (5-11, 214) was one of the standout athletes who took the field for Mississippi State in recent years thanks to Mullen. Hill flashed as a sophomore in 2018 when he averaged 6.3 yards per carry for 734 yards with four touchdowns. That season he also had 22 receptions for 176 yards and four scores. As a junior, Hill was one of the best backs in the SEC, averaging 5.6 yards per carry for 1,350 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Hill could have entered the 2020 NFL Draft, but he returned for his senior year. Hill only saw 15 carries for 58 yards in 2020, but he showed improved receiving ability, especially against LSU, catching 23 passes for 237 yards and one score for his year. He opted out of the season after just three games and was reportedly butting heads with the Bulldogs coaching staff.
Despite that abrupt departure, Hill’s skill set is that of an early-rounder, so many expected him to go in the top half of the 2021 NFL Draft. In speaking to team sources, Hill slid because of the football character concerns. There was talk that the two staffs following Mullen’s departure from Starkville had a hard time handling Hill and that the feedback that pro scouts received from those staffs regarding Hill was not positive.
The Packers ended Hill’s fall late in the seventh round, barely saving him from the undrafted ranks. Going to Green Bay was an excellent landing spot for Hill, who should be a superb scheme fit for team’s offense in that he is a hard-nosed runner who also has receiving ability. He could be a perfect backup to Aaron Jones, provided Hill can get his conduct in order to earn that spot. The Packers will push 2020 second-round pick A.J. Dillon as the No. 2 back after losing Jamaal Williams in free agency, but Hill has the physical talent to potentially beat out Dillon. Jones was a fifth-round pick, so the Packers are willing to give an opportunity to late picks.
Hill needs to show a good attitude, be a positive teammate, and display a willingness to do anything the coaches ask. If Hill makes the team, he could evolve into being a good pro for Green Bay.
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