Detroit Lions: 4 free agent running backs worth considering
Brian Hill
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Age: 25
Height/Weight: 6-1, 219
2020 Stats: 16 games played, 100 rushing attempts, 465 yards, 25 receptions, 199 receiving yards, 1 total touchdown
2020 Base Salary: $2,133,000
Hill has seen his usage increase significantly over the last three seasons, serving as a solid backup behind more well-known backs such as Devonta Freeman and Todd Gurley. Like Edwards, he could be looking for a bigger role, as his statistical trajectory could prompt him to hunt down a pay raise.
As the 16th running back selected in the 2017 NFL draft, Hill had to pay his dues on both the Atlanta Falcons’ and Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squads before his career finally started to gain some traction in 2019. Unfortunately, in 2020 his efficient play was lost in the Falcons’ overall rushing ineptitude; they ranked second from the bottom in both total rushing yards and yards per attempt.
With new head coach Arthur Smith running the show in Atlanta, it’s likely that the Falcons’ running game takes significant steps forward both in usage and effectiveness. As the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans over the last two years, Smith’s offense ranked in the top-ten in rushing attempts, total yards, and yards per attempt. Does Hill fit back into that equation?
The Falcons may have to take a committee approach in the backfield since Smith won’t have the services of reigning rushing champion Derrick Henry as he did in Tennessee. They likely will part ways with Gurley as well, who was unable to come close to his offensive player of the year form in his hometown last season. Solid players like Hill who won’t break the bank for the cash-strapped Falcons could make sense to retain.
Should Hill move on though, he would be a nice option for the Lions, particularly in short-yardage situations. According to Pro Football Reference, Hill averaged a whopping 8.7 yards per attempt with three or fewer yards to gain. That kind of efficiency in tight-spaced situations has been an inconsistent part of the Lions attack in recent years and would help round out their running back unit.