PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

New England Patriots > Patriots Blog

Patriots Draft Profile, Wyoming RB Brian Hill

Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri on Twitter
March 31, 2017 at 11:30 am ET

Patriots Draft Profile, Wyoming RB Brian Hill(PHOTO: usa today - USA TODAY Sports)

🕑 Read Time: 3 minutes

Dark Horse, Late Round Pick May Turn Some Heads

As the 2017 NFL Draft draws closer we’ll profile some of the players that may be on the Patriots radar or that we feel would be a great fit.

The Patriots’ offense needs a big bodied running back to replace LeGarrette Blount. Blount is a free agent and is unlikely to return at this point. He was terrific in 2016 rushing for over 1100 yards and a league leading 18 touchdowns but he’s 30 years old now, a time when big backs begin to break down. He slowed considerably down the stretch.

The Patriots have a slew of pass receiving backs, James White, Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and D.J. Foster. While all of them can catch the ball out of the backfield, they are not the big, physical downhill style runners they need to move the chains.

Brian Hill from Wyoming is a big, running back who can shoulder a heavy load. In 2016 he carried the ball 349 times for 1,860 yards, (ranked third in the FBS) 5.3-yard average, and 22 touchdowns (fourth) in 14 games on his way to first-team All-Mountain West honors. He added eight catches for 67 yards out of the backfield.

Hill has been productive, albeit against lesser competition but has compiled nearly 3500 yards in his last two seasons at Wyoming. He has good vision and will make the correct call in picking the hole and following his blockers.

He possesses nice cutback moves but doesn’t run with enough power for a man his size. He also needs work in pass protection. He has good hands but was rarely used in the passing game.

Pros:

– Excellent production in his final two years

– Works well between the tackles

– Has some nice moves to make tacklers miss

– Good hands although not used much in the passing game

Cons

– Not explosive and needs more strength

– Not a breakaway threat

– Pass protection needs work

What his Role Will Be:
Hill’s role will be as the Patriots big, physical, move-the-pile back. He’d take over the Blount role, especially as short yardage, goal line back

Will his Role Change from Year 1-2?
Yes, he’ll need to get stronger and run with more power. With some work on his pass blocking skills and a bit as a receiver, he could push for a bigger role.

How Many Downs Can He Play?
Three

What Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?
LaGarrette Blount, and Brandon Bolden.

What is his ST Value?
Minimal

Conclusion:
Hill is one of those players that will generate widely varying scouting reports. While many scouts point to his lack of explosiveness and power running, there can be no arguing with his production the past two years.

He’s the kind of player that grows on you the more you watch his tape. He’s adept at squeezing into tight gaps, has the size (6’1,219) that will make him an attractive target in the power running game.

With the Patriots offense, he won’t be counted on to put the kind of workload on that he’s done with the Cowboys, with 349 carries in 2016. He could become a nice rotational back in New England arsenal. He has the size to be a good, serviceable power back in the NFL. He runs a bit too upright at times however and that is something that running back coach Ivan Fears would work on with him.

Hill has good vision and balance and will follow his blockers and pick the right gap to run to daylight. He’ an intriguing, dark horse prospect that could be a nice late round pick up.

If he’s around in Round 5 or Round 6, it will be an intriguing choice for the Patriots to make. If he played in the SEC or the Big 10, he may be looked upon as a much more touted prospect.

Hill’s highlight reel tape can be seen here:

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at [email protected]

Listen to our Patriots 4th and 2 podcast on blog talk radio as the writers Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and I from PatsFans.com discuss the latest Patriots news Wednesdays at 12 noon.

Like this article?
Support Steve and buy him a coffee.

READ NEXT:
Patriots Draft Profile, Houston CB Howard Wilson

About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)


Posted Under: 2017 NFL Draft
Tags: 2017 NFL Combine 2017 NFL Draft 2017 Patriots Season Bill Belichick Brian Hill Dion Lewis James White LaGarrette Blount New England Patriots NFL Patriots Patriots running backs

  • Comments are closed.

  • More Patriots News Headlines:

    MORSE: NFL Adopts New Rules for 2024

    MORSE: NFL Adopts New Rules for 2024

    By: Mark Morse
    At the League meetings this week in Orlando, the NFL adopted several new rule changes.  The two most controversial changes were the new kickoff rule…
    5 hours ago
    Thursday Patriots Notebook 3/28: News and Notes

    Thursday Patriots Notebook 3/28: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    As the Patriots continue pondering what to do with the #3 pick, if history is any indication, should they trade out of that spot, they're…
    5 hours ago
    Wednesday Patriots Notebook 3/27: News and Notes

    Wednesday Patriots Notebook 3/27: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said on Tuesday that 'we're going to be open to whatever can come our way,' heading into next month's…
    1 day ago
    Tuesday Patriots Notebook 3/26: News and Notes

    Tuesday Patriots Notebook 3/26: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    It's been interesting to hear the reactions following Jerod Mayo's press conference on Monday, and at the rate things are going, it's likely that he'll…
    2 days ago
    TRANSCRIPT: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft at the Owner’s Meetings 3/26

    TRANSCRIPT: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft at the Owner’s Meetings 3/26

    By: Ian Logue
    Here's the full transcript of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's meeting with the media on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
    2 days ago

    Share via
    Copy link
    Powered by Social Snap
    Search For Links: - CLOSE
    For searches with multiple players
    add commas (Ex: "Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty")