I like Troy Hill (so far) so here's stuff on him

Fisher on Troy Hill: (On CB Troy Hill’s performace)

“He did a nice job, not only on defense, but also on special teams. He’s a talented young man who can really run.”

===

from the wiki

College career

As a senior in Oregon, Hill finished seventh on the team in tackles with 71. Hill was awarded with a second-team Pac-12 all-conference choice and 14-game starter ranked second in the league (1.46 avg.) in passes defended and 11th nationally. Hill was arrested on December 16, 2013 and suspended from the team after he pleaded guilty to menacing; he was later reinstated to the team.

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals
On May 8, 2015, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Hill as an undrafted free agent. On September 5, 2015, Hill was waived. The next day on September 6, 2015, Hill was signed to the practice squad. On December 5, 2015, Hill was promoted from the Bengals’ practice squad. On December 24, 2015, Hill was waived.

New England Patriots
On December 25, 2015, the New England Patriots claimed Hill off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals. On December 30, 2015, Hill was waived.

St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams
On December 31, 2015, the St. Louis Rams claimed Hill off waivers from the New England Patriots.

===

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/troy-hill?id=2552693

TROY HILL
5’10”
182LBS.

PRO DAY RESULTS

40-yard dash: 4.55 and 4.52 seconds
Vertical jump: 34 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.92 seconds
20-yard short shuttle: 4.18 seconds

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Ultra-competitive, quick-twitch athlete. Stays low and smooth in backpedal and can throw his hips open quickly from retreat to turn and run. Gobbles up combo routes from zone coverage without busting. Plays with improved instincts and readiness. Reads quarterback’s eyes and is eager to make a play on the ball. Can overlap and make plays outside his area. Was third in nation in 2014 in passes defensed with 19. Takes good angles on the throw and gets hand and arm into framework of the receiver at point of catch to knock throw away. Transitions quickly from coverage into tackler against loose wideout or runner. Has adequate play speed and is an explosive leaper. Will come up and hit with as much force as he can muster.

WEAKNESSES

Skinny, lanky body that could take pounding in trying to tackle NFL running backs. Shows slight stutter step when transitioning from backpedal into change-of-direction mode. Reads receiver’s eyes, but needs to improve with turning to find ball and finish with interceptions. Feisty, but lacking play strength to consistently disengage from big blockers on perimeter. Has to hit low or he needs help to bring down big receivers and running backs as a tackler. Took on 160 yards worth of penalties over last two seasons. Suspended at end of 2013 for violating unspecified team rules and missed bowl game that season following arrest for domestic incident in which he punched a wall and yelled during a dispute with a girlfriend. Plead down to misdemeanor menacing and was sentenced to three years probation. Was also ordered to complete anger treatment program at sentencing. Character must be combed through.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Round 5 or 6

SOURCES TELL US

“When you go back in his history, you find out that he’s always had a chip on his shoulder and that is what fuels him. He uses it to be a better football player. There are some maturity issues with him that concern me, though.” — NFC director of scouting

NFL COMPARISON

Jayron Hosley

BOTTOM LINE

Improved by leaps and bounds from 2013 to 2014 after becoming a full-time starter. Plays with competitive toughness and improving confidence in coverage. Hill has the athleticism and ball skills to be an NFL cornerback, but his slight frame is a substantial concern. Concerns surrounding his off-field character could hurt his draft stock.

===

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737362/troy-hill

PLAYER OVERVIEW

A three-star cornerback recruit out of high school, Hill committed to Oregon over offers from Washington and Boise State, redshirting in 2010. He saw the field as a redshirt freshman (six starts) and recorded 43 tackles, seven passes defended and one interception. Hill was a reserve corner in 2012 and 2013 and didn’t start any games, but combined for 55 tackles, nine passes defended and one interception off the bench. He returned to the starting line-up as a senior and started 14 games, leading the team in passes defended (19), adding 71 tackles and one interception, earning Second Team All-Pac 12 honors.

Hill earned an invitation to the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

STRENGTHS:

Fluid body type with loose hips and agile feet…flexible lower body to smoothly change directions and shadow receivers…plays with good-enough speed and multiple gears, including initial burst…alert and aggressive play style with sink-and-drive closing quickness…stays nose-over-toes in press with patient feet…will break down in space with disciplined eyes and vision in run support and as a blitzer. Tough-willed tackler, staying low and striking through his target…plays fearless and not afraid to take chances…improved timing and ballskills in 2014, leading the Pac-12 in passes defended (19) – made the most of his opportunity to start as a senior…spirited competitor who hates to lose and works hard between games.

WEAKNESSES:

Lacks ideal size dimensions with below average height and lean body structure…out-muscled by receivers and lacks the growth potential to add much more bulk, lacking core power…grabby and attracts penalties – improved timing in 2014, but still has room for improvement…ankle-biter at times and launches too low on tackle attempts with poor finishing power…can be taken out of plays easily by blockers.

Lacks a great feel with his back to the ball and needs to better read receivers and get his head turned to locate the ball…route anticipation is rusty, guessing (and guessing wrong) too often…off-field maturity needs vetted – suspended for 2013 bowl game after arrested (Dec. 2013) on misdemeanor charges of menacing and fourth-degree assault during a domestic incident; also served a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules (Nov. 2013).

IN OUR VIEW:

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Hill ran with the wrong crowd growing up and moved to California as a teenager to focus on football and education. He stayed out of trouble until the 2013 season when he was arrested and off-field decision making became more of a concern for future-type of prospect who flirts with trouble, but is not married to it.

Hill rebounded from his issues on and off the field as a junior, earning a starting role and holding his own – was tested often opposite Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. He has the short-area quickness and long-speed to mirror with the fearless, feisty attitude to match, but lacks the size and strength to compete with every type of receiver – NFL talent is there to stick as a nickel or dime corner if he stays committed to his craft and out of trouble.

===

from Who is CB Troy Hill and How Did the Patriots Just Steal a Stud?

http://www.patspulpit.com/2015/12/25/10666018/who-is-cb-troy-hill-and-how-did-the-patriots-just-steal-a-stud

Hill was rated as a top five cornerback in the draft, was a stout tackler, and was always in position to deter passes in an offensively explosive conference.

The 5’10, 180 lbs Oregon graduate ran a 6.65 three cone at his Pro Day, along with a fantastic 10’2 broad jump and a 34″ vertical. Hill was undrafted partially because he ran an unimpressive 4.55 40 yard dash, but mostly because of a domestic violence charge.

Hill pleaded guilty to “menacing” after punching a wall in a dispute with his girlfriend. He has since gone through anger management and is on probation for one more year. If he has grown from his errors and education, then he offers the Patriots some fantastic depth at cornerback.