2nd Round: Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU

[ArmyBengal]

With their 2nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Should-be Hall-of-Famer Ken "The Rattler" Riley selects: Jeremy Hill, RB. LSU

[HoosierCat]

Not a guy Im familiar with but wraith liked him more than Carlos. Character issues, tho...we shall see. Like the position, tho, have to upgrade from BJGE if Hue wants to commit to the run.

[Wraith]

Good pick strong fast good hands 233 lbs. So far pretty happy with this Draft get a damn C next round and we will be ok.

[HoosierCat]

Was a top Louisiana prep running back in 2010, rushing 302 times for 2,260 yards (7.5-yard average) and 36 touchdowns en route to being named to the Parade All-America team. Before graduating high school, though, he was arrested on sexual assault charges. Sat out the 2011 season and enrolled at LSU early the following year, participating in spring drills. Made his collegiate debut in the fall of '12 and played in 11 games (five starts), rushing 142-755-12 (5.3) and catching 8-73-0 (9.1). Did not play in LSU's first two games and carried just 13 times through six weeks, but went on to lead the Tigers in rushing. Started the final five games; in his first college start, he became the first true LSU freshman to rush for 100 yards against Alabama (29-107-1). Ran afoul of the law again in April '13, as he was arrested and charged with simple battery after being caught on video punching a man outside a bar near campus. After pleading guilty to a predatory attack for the second time in 15 months, he was given a six-month suspended jail sentence and two years of probation; as a result, he was to be on probation until July 12, 2015, but early termination of Hill's probation was granted by a judge in March. Was suspended by coach Les Miles for the '13 opener and for the first quarter of LSU's ensuing game. Once he returned to the field, he registered one of the top seasons in school history, rushing 203-1,401-16 (6.9) and catching 18-181-0 (10.1) in 12 games (11 starts). His rushing total was the second-best single-season mark in school history, while his average yards per carry established an SEC record (eclipsing Garrison Hearst's 6.8 in 1992). Tied a school mark with seven 100-yard games, including a 28-216-2 performance in the Outback Bowl. Concluded his two-year college career with 2,410 all-purpose yards and no fumbles lost.

Analysis

Strengths

Outstanding size. Good initial quickness -- gets rolling downhill in a hurry. Quick feet for a bigger back. Slashes through holes. Spins off tackles and picks up yards after contact. Shows good hands in limited exposure -- effective short receiver. Productive in a pro-style power offense -- averaged nearly 7 yards per carry as a sophomore.

Weaknesses

Average vision and balance. Shows some hip tightness and does not string moves together. Can do a better job running behind his pads between the tackles -- enters the hole upright, negating his ability to move the pile. Gears down to cut laterally and slide to another hole. Average second-level burst. Lacks elite top-end speed to pull away from the pack and can be tracked down before reaching the edge. Was not used extensively as a receiver and did not run a variety of routes. Was contained by Alabama. Has a 29-inch vertical jump. Character, maturity and stability must be investigated thoroughly.

Draft Projection

Rounds 2-3

Bottom Line

Big, thickly built, athletic slasher with an overinflated sense of his abilities and character red flags, which could cause some teams to shy away. Fits best in a downhill scheme and has potential to be a 20-carry back in the NFL, but must run to his size more consistently and prove his unstable behavior is behind him.

/>http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/jeremy-hill?id=2543603

[volcom69]

Hope his baggage does not follow him. He is a bruiser of a RB though.

[cincyhokie]

The tape looks impressive.

Certainly a statement towards running the ball more...and running it effectively.

Dalton improves with this pick, as does the offense. This is how you advance in the playoffs. Strong running game.

[TJJackson]

can

he

pass

block

[HoosierCat]

STRENGTHS: Powerful downhill runner who finishes his runs. Lowers his shoulder, keeps his legs churning and spins off of contact, often gaining extra yardage after the initial hit.

Decisive runner. Attacks holes and gets downhill in a hurry. Efficient and fluid in his cuts, showing the ability to burst through the designed hole or skip laterally to attack another. Deceptive speed, including the ability to run away from defenders to create chunk plays. Impressive leaping ability to hurdle would-be tacklers.

Effective receiver out of the backfield with long arms, soft hands and good hand-eye coordination to track down short passes. Natural receiver who looks comfortable in the passing game, collecting and securing the ball in one easy, fluid motion.

WEAKNESSES: While obviously talented, Hill comes with plenty of red-flags, on and off the field. Has been used as part of a rotation throughout his career and ran behind one of the nation's best offensive lines. Runs higher than preferred, too often exposing his chest (and the ball) to the defender and simply attempting to run through them. Holds the ball with only one hand, often even when fighting through contact.

Doesn't possess ideal balance, too often stumbling or diving for what he can when a defender gets a hand on his lower leg. Inconsistent commitment as a pass blocker. Too often offers a lazy shoulder in pass protection, allowing defenders to slip past him.

Pleaded guilty on battery charges for an April, 2013 incident in which he was recorded on video assaulting a man outside of a bar. This charge came while he was on probation for December 2010 incident in which he engaged in a sexual act with a 14-year-old girl in the Redemptorist High School locker room.

COMPARES TO: LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots - Considering their size, punishing downhill running style and, unfortunately, character red flags, Blount is an easy comparison for Hill. Hill is a better athlete than Blount and boasts superior vision, lateral agility and speed, which could lead him to earning much more of a featured role in the NFL than the time-share Blount has played in most of his NFL career. With commitment, Hill could be the second coming of Steven Jackson.

--Rob Rang

/>http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1984260/jeremy-hill

[COB]

C

[cincyhokie]

The redeemer strikes again!

I still like the pick.

[Kazkal]

Worried about our Oline but I still like the idea of taking some Thunder to go with our Lightning.

Hill vs Hyde Strengths

Strengths

Outstanding size. Good initial quickness -- gets rolling downhill in a hurry. Quick feet for a bigger back. Slashes through holes. Spins off tackles and picks up yards after contact. Shows good hands in limited exposure -- effective short receiver. Productive in a pro-style power offense -- averaged nearly 7 yards per carry as a sophomore.

Strengths

Very well built -- looks every bit the part. Outstanding size, explosive power and run strength -- can be his own blocker and create his own holes. Punishes linebackers running downhill and almost always falls forward. Superb contact balance and finishing strength -- does not go down easily and can barrel through arm tackles. Extremely powerful short-yardage/goal-line runner. Gets better with a lather as the game progresses. Took over the game in the fourth quarter vs. Northwestern (2013) and willed team to victory. Surprisingly quick in short spaces and can plant hard and go. Is solid in pass protection and can stonewall blitzers in their tracks. Good awareness and anticipation to react to stunts and adjust to movement. Soft hands-catcher. Plucked the ball very naturally at his pro-day workout.[

So seems like Hyde is more reliable Hill has more burst and more potential

[COB]

Could be the second coming of Steven Jackson? I'll take it.

[Walrus]

I'm stoked. This guy is a great runner with great hands. Going to be huge. Now let's go get some help on the OL!

[volcom69]

Hue Jackson got his man. I am so excited to get back to running the ball

[HoosierCat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_67w8sjuo8

[volcom69]

He does look good that's for sure. Will he be better then Hyde I hope so. A lot of upside after watching that video

[HoosierCat]

Coley:

My take: The Bengals were sitting comfortably when the 55th overall pick went on the clock Friday night. There were a slew of highly-talented players who they could have taken with their various needs. Good running backs were available, offensive linemen were available, defensive ends were available, safeties were available and linebackers were, too. So they could have gone virtually anywhere. With the Bengals moving to a more physical offense under newly promoted offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, the Bengals were smart to take a running back in the second round. In Hill they get a bigger, bruising ball carrier who can push the pile, as well as make defenders miss. He also is a solid receiving threat out of the backfield, too.

Hill's addition could soon spell the end for BenJarvus Green-Ellis' time in Cincinnati. Green-Ellis split carries with Giovani Bernard last season, but didn't perform as well last season as the Bengals had hoped. If Green-Ellis does reach chopping-block status -- and Jackson made it clear that "right now" Green-Ellis is still an option in the backfield -- he would provide the Bengals a cap savings of $2.5 million this season.

No Hyde: The Bengals had a chance to take Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde with the 55th pick, but they went with a player who many fans weren't expecting. The Bengals liked Hyde according to Jackson and running backs coach Kyle Caskey sin a post-pick news conference, but Hill's selection was in part the product of his playing in a pro-style offense and in a conference as competitive as the SEC.

What's next? Now that the Bengals have addressed one offensive need, they ought to turn their focus in the third round either to defensive line or quarterback. They still need a defensive end to help fill former end Michael Johnson's shoes. Johnson signed with Tampa Bay in free agency back in March. They also are in need of offensive line help, and could take players at center, guard or tackle.

[kingwilly]

I'm solid with this. Like in the other thread, this is a luxury pick with BJGE, Burkhead, Peerman in the backfield.

He has all the tools, easily faster and shiftier than Hyde. It's not even close. He looks like a BIG Gio.

[Kazkal]

at's next? Now that the Bengals have addressed one offensive need, they ought to turn their focus in the third round either to defensive line or quarterback. They still need a defensive end to help fill former end Michael Johnson's shoes. Johnson signed with Tampa Bay in free agency back in March. They also are in need of offensive line help, and could take players at center, guard or tackle.

3rd round Best Available Center

4th Best available OT or OG

5th Best Available OT or OG

6th Best Available OT or OG

7th Best Available OT or OG

He looks like a BIG Gio.

That Sounds Dirty

[HoosierCat]

He does look good that's for sure. Will he be better then Hyde I hope so. A lot of upside after watching that video

Only thing to remember is that's an awesome o-line he is running behind. The Bengals? Right now not so much. We'll see if he can do that running behind our line.

[cincyhokie]

He does look good that's for sure. Will he be better then Hyde I hope so. A lot of upside after watching that video

Only thing to remember is that's an awesome o-line he is running behind. The Bengals? Right now not so much. We'll see if he can do that running behind our line.

Maybe they just plan on him running over our o-line and the opponents d-line.

[Walrus]

He does look good that's for sure. Will he be better then Hyde I hope so. A lot of upside after watching that video

Only thing to remember is that's an awesome o-line he is running behind. The Bengals? Right now not so much. We'll see if he can do that running behind our line.

Maybe they just plan on him running over our o-line and the opponents d-line.

Also notice that LSU runs out of an I formation utilizing ... an actual fullback! Maybe the Bengals look at JC Copeland in the 7th or UDFA...

[blueridge]

He does look good that's for sure. Will he be better then Hyde I hope so. A lot of upside after watching that video

Only thing to remember is that's an awesome o-line he is running behind. The Bengals? Right now not so much. We'll see if he can do that running behind our line.

the bengals have a better o-line than LSU.

[redsbengalsbucks]

What worries me here is the fact that Hyde is proven against some of the best run defending teams in college football. Then you have the SEC that seems to have forgotten how to defend and just wants to score 40 points a game every game. Is Hill better than Hyde, I doubt it. He lacks the ability to block well and has issues with balance, Hyde has neither of these issues.

Can he catch better than Hyde I doubt this also, Hyde routinely made bad passes from Miller a catch and turned them into big gains.

Does he have more character issues than Hyde, yes by far. Hyde received a free tattoo or two from a OSU alum, Hill has a sex charge against a minor and an assault charge on tape at a bar.

I do not like this pick!

I hope they know what they are doing, but I don't see this working out well.

[HoosierCat]

What worries me here is the fact that Hyde is proven against some of the best run defending teams in college football. Then you have the SEC that seems to have forgotten how to defend and just wants to score 40 points a game every game. Is Hill better than Hyde, I doubt it. He lacks the ability to block well and has issues with balance, Hyde has neither of these issues.

Can he catch better than Hyde I doubt this also, Hyde routinely made bad passes from Miller a catch and turned them into big gains.

Does he have more character issues than Hyde, yes by far. Hyde received a free tattoo or two from a OSU alum, Hill has a sex charge against a minor and an assault charge on tape at a bar.

I do not like this pick!

I hope they know what they are doing, but I don't see this working out well.

He can catch and I believe I read last night that Hue was attracted by his pass protection abilities. There are analysts who argued he should be ahead of Hyde. But yeah, on a personal level the guy sound like a real POS and I can't say I'm happy at the idea of cheering him.