The 2021 NFL draft is officially over, and the Packers came out with addressing every need they had coming into the 2021 season. With their last selection at the 256th pick, Green Bay adds depth in the backfield with Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill. While this pick doesn’t necessarily fill a need for this season, it could potentially become a great offensive weapon in the near future.
Production At Mississippi State
Hill only played three games in 2020, but still produced with the limited opportunity he had. Off of fifteen attempts, he produced 58 rushing yards, and gained 234 receiving yards on 23 receptions. With that, he only had one drop and eight broken tackles. Hill only played three years at Mississippi State, and had his best season in 2019 where he rushed for 1,348 yards and ten touchdowns, along with gaining 180 receiving yards. Along with that, Hill averaged 5.6 yards per carry and totaled 2,535 rushing yards with 16 rushing touchdowns in his collegiate career. At 5’11” 210lbs, Hill broke 116 tackles on 453 career tackles and posted a 4.57 40 yard dash at his pro day.
Packers take Kylin Hill at pick 256😤
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 1, 2021
What He Brings To Green Bay
The elusive running back brings a great comparison to Jamaal Williams who was recently released this offseason. Hill plays with great physicality and his feet are constantly moving. If you combine the talent/roles of each of Jones and Dillon, Hill brings that pass-catching ability along with that run between the tackle skillset to be a great third down back in this offense. He has tremendous contact balance, awareness, explosiveness, and is elusive off the line of scrimmage. Hill’s not a north/south runner, but more of a lateral route runner. When asked, Hill mentioned he resembles his game off of Alvin Kamara with a mix of Ezekiel Elliott. He needs to work on his top speed at the second level after finding the seam, as he had trouble pulling away. In addition, Hill could be the replacement for Tyler Ervin as the gadget back/receiver since he has not been re-signed.
Hill comes into a Green Bay offense that involves a run heavy scheme mixed with play action. He has the physical tools be a successful running back in this league, but needs more development. Mixing in his explosiveness, his ability to catch in the backfield assures him to be a great depth piece in this backfield. If either Jones or Dillon were to sustain an injury, Hill would be perfectly capable of handling a work horse role in this offense. Overall, Kylin Hill is a great developmental project for head coach Matt Lafleur. He provides a lot of value for being a seventh rounder.
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