Troy

Hill

As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport points out, the Panthers are looking toward the future on both sides of the ball, and Hill, now 33 years old, was not part of those plans. The veteran corner re-upped with Carolina on a one-year deal this offseason. Hill has one pass breakup and 32 tackles this year. With 119 games and 60 starts in the regular season alone, there will be a market for Hill’s services as a depth option.

Hill, 32, joined the Panthers just weeks before the start of last season and wound up playing in 16 games while making three starts. The veteran corner totaled 48 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups on the year and earned a PFF coverage grade of 66.9. With 73 percent of his snaps coming from the slot last season, we can safely assume Hill will play a similar role with the team in 2024.

Hill has spent the majority of his eight-year career with the Rams but has also had brief stints with the Browns and Bengals. An undrafted rookie from the 2015 class, Hill has carved out a nice career for himself. He’s started in 55-of-97 games while forcing eight interceptions. He started all 12 games for the Rams last season, earning a PFF coverage grade of 60.5 while allowing 41 receptions for 460 yards and three touchdowns.

He’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Hill had participated in 95% of the snaps in Week 1 before suffering the injury in Week 2’s game against Atlanta. The Rams pivoted by using more three-safety looks, as each of Nick Scott, Taylor Rapp, and Jordan Fuller played at least 59% of the snaps in Week 2. 2021 fourth-rounder Robert Rochell is Hill’s direct backup at corner.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the deal was for a “future pick,” later revealed to be a 2023 fifth-rounder. Hill played five seasons with the Rams before joining the Browns in free agency last March. He primarily played in the slot last time he was with the Rams.

Hill went down while attempting to tackle Jakobi Meyers, who would ultimately shed the tackle en route to his first career touchdown. After staying on the field while being examined by medical staff for some time, Hill was placed on a stretcher and taken from the game. He appeared to suffer a head or neck injury while trying to make the tackle. Hill joined the Browns as a free agent in the previous offseason. He has two sacks and four TFLs this year.

Hill follows S John Johnnson III from Los Angeles to Cleveland. Headed into his age-30 campaign, Hill scored three defensive touchdowns in 2020. He is capable of playing both inside and out. We would assume the Browns will want the 5-foot-11 corner to focus on the slot. He’s an important addition with Greedy Williams dealing with an uncertain nerve situation in his shoulder. Hill had never been an every-down player until last season, but he has now proven it’s a role he can handle if injury elsewhere dictates.

He’ll reportedly undergo surgery mid-week with “an eye” towards suiting up on Saturday in Los Angeles’ must-win matchup against the Niners. Hill has started alongside Jalen Ramsey since both Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib were traded, being charged with 23/304/1 and two picks on 50 targets (via PFF) in coverage since Week 6. Nickell Robey-Coleman and David Long Jr. would start if Hill can’t go.

Another $3 million is available through incentives. Hill had been a restricted free agent tendered at the $2.025 million level. The Rams have torn up that pact with this new deal. An oft-used fill-in on defense, Hill is a league-average backup who is best utilized on special teams.

Hill started last season on the suspended list following a drunk driving incident. He has somehow survived the Jeff Fisher era and lasted this long despite poor play and off-field incidents. Hill was pressed into 448 snaps on defense last season with Aqib Talib spending two months on I.R. Hill playing defense is always bad news for the Rams, though he’s fine on special teams. He’ll make $2.025 million in 2019.