B.J. Hill Has Potential; Can He Become An Effective Part Of The Redskins DL Rotation?

B.J. Hill, DL
School: NC State | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 311 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th Round or 5th Round
NFL Comparison: Tyeler Davison

College Statistics

Player Overview

The rest of the N.C. State defensive line was often overlooked this past season with Bradley Chubb catching all the limelight. B.J. Hill made up half of a talented group of defensive tackles on the line. Hill primarily lined up directly over the guard and ate a lot of blocks in the N.C. State defense. He has a powerful and quick initial get off and frequently took on OG/C combo blocks. At times Hill can collapse the pocket pretty well but is largely inconsistent in that area. He has a few counter moves that he uses to get off blocks but is still learning how to chain them. Consistency and development will be key to Hill reaching his potential. He doesn’t particularly flash great pass rushing skill or run defense but if he works on his craft he may be able to get back to the level of play his sophomore year where he lived more frequently in the backfield. If Hill can get stronger and learn how to chain his disengagement moves more consistently he should develop into a fine rotational DL who can make some plays on the run and in the backfield.

Strengths

• Good size for the position. Has value as a 4-3 DT or as a 3-4 DE in base defenses.
• Above average athlete for the position and at times flashes good lateral quickness that allows him to get into gaps.
• Decent instincts and anticipation he may not always get to the spot in time but his eyes are always in the backfield which helps read and react ability.
• Quick and disruptive initial get off and burst.

Weaknesses

• Gets too caught up fighting with the guard probably a combination of not chaining moves, strength, and leverage but he needs to learn how to better split the OG/C gap to become more effective.
• Can get washed out on combo blocks and moved off his spot. Feet need to work together with the upper body after he makes his initial move. Too easily neutralized right now.
• Needs to develop better pass rush moves and use the ones he has more consistently.
• Developmental prospect who needs a lot of technique work to become a reliable part of an NFL DL rotation.

Let’s see his work:

More B.J. Hill videos

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

I’m a proponent of the Redskins acquiring depth at DL in the draft so they can free themselves from some of the players they had to pick up off the street last year due to injury. I view Hill as a developmental prospect who has a higher than expected ceiling due to his work at the Senior Bowl. Still, I think he is going to require a couple seasons worth of development before he is able to contribute in a meaningful way for a team. All of Hill’s weaknesses are coachable but require time and patience. I think he should get stronger at the point of attack to become more effective with his good initial burst off the snap. Just like with a lot of prospects he’ll need to learn how to chain his disengagement and pass rush moves together and he needs better technique with his hand placement and footwork. Hill will likely play DE in a 3-4 base because his size and weaknesses aren't suited for a true NT role. I’m more comfortable with the team taking later round flyers on defensive line players like this simply because of what coach Tomsula has been able to do in the season he’s been here with Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, and Anthony Lanier. The above average coaching the team has at the position will bring out the most in prospects like Hill.