Taysom

Hill

In what was probably his final game for the Saints and perhaps even as an NFL player, Hill surprisingly notched zero carries. All too surprisingly, he exited banged up, something that has been a theme during a rugged career that has frequently called on him to slam into opposing linebackers and DBs. Going on 36 years old, Hill was overpaid for much of his Saints tenure but probably under-appreciated by fans who judge things on bottom-line fantasy production. If a retirement announcement isn’t forthcoming, Hill’s goal would be to land guaranteed money on the open market, which is no sure thing considering his age, injury history, and lack of a true position.

Hill was not targeted and did not attempt a pass. He rushed 12 times last week while also catching four passes and throwing one. That was likely his final home game as a Saint and the team clearly made it a point to give him a proper sendoff. Facing the Titans in Tennessee, Kellen Moore deployed Audric Estime as his lead back. Estime ran 19 times today. Hill’s time in the spotlight has come to an end. Fantasy managers can ignore him for Week 18.

This leaves RB Audric Estime as the nominal starter, though TE Taysom Hill logged 16 touches to Estime’s eight last week. The Saints apparently wanted to feature Hill in Week 16, in what could be his final home game as a Saint. Projecting each player’s Week 17 role is difficult. Neither one should be considered a confident play, though the Titans’ defense is unimposing.

Estime was widely believed to be the Saints’ No. 1 back headed into Week 16 with Devin Neal and Alvin Kamara sidelined with injuries. But it was gadget player Taysom Hill who easily led the New Orleans backfield with 12 rushes for 42 yards, including all of the goal line work. Estime had sold pass game usage, running a pass route on 34 of the Saints’ 55 drop backs on the day. RB Evan Hull ran ten routes and was not targeted. Estime should be considered a deep league flex play in Week 17 against the Titans.

Hill, functioning as the centerpiece of the New Orleans offense, also threw a touchdown to Chris Olave — a 38 yard strike up the seam to put the game away against an overmatched Jets team. Hill easily led the Saints offense with his 12 rushing attempts; Audric Estime had five carries for 19 yards while Evan Hull had three yards on five rushes. Hill’s stat line could have looked even better if he hadn’t had a 20-yard receiving score called back on a holding penalty. With Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) and Devin Neal sidelined, it’s clear the Saints see Hill as their No. 1 backfield option for now. Hill’s tight end eligibility will make him something close to a must-play option in Week 17 against the Titans, assuming Kamara does not suit up.

Hill also recovered his own fumble. This is getting rather ridiculous. Today was the third time this season Hill finished with negative rushing yards. All his explosion is gone during his age-35 season. It’s time for the Saints to move on from his change-of-pace handles. Fantasy managers should have already done so long ago.

Neal will presumably start with RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) sidelined. The Dolphins’ run defense allows 5.0 yards per carry and only two teams have allowed more explosive run plays than them (47). Saints TE Taysom Hill could handle a frustrating number of carries, particularly in the red zone, but Neal should at least operate as the lead running back on passing downs, while handling a reasonable rushing workload. Neal is an albeit uncomfortable borderline RB2/3.

Hill also failed to complete both of his passing attempts. The Saints had a sizeable package of running plays for him in short-yardage situations as he picked up multiple short first downs. Hill also got goal line usage, but was stuffed multiple times. The Saints stuck him at quarterback for a third-and-goal in the second half but the snap sailed over Hill’s head, which he then picked up and threw out of the end zone for an intentional grounding penalty. The offense as a whole failed to convert in the red zone, with many of the stalls driven by failed plays to Hill. As long as Alvin Kamara (knee) is out, Hill will still have a role in the backfield, though it just makes the rest of the backfield murkier rather than making Hill fantasy relevant.

Hill had one passing attempt go incomplete and one target that was incomplete as well. The Saints would do Hill a favor if they didn’t make it so obvious every time they were about to hand him the ball around the goal line. Hill’s package has never looked so ineffective heading into the Saints’ Week 11 bye week.

Hill ripped off a 29-yard rumbling run up the middle on the Saints’ fourth drive and was allowed to stay in for two more plays. He then gained one yard on the ground before throwing an incomplete pass to No. 2 WR Rashid Shaheed. Hill’s most consequential play occurred late in the game, when head coach Kellen Moore subbed out rookie Tyler Shough for Hill on 4th-and-2 from the Rams’ seven-yard line. Hill’s seemingly-obvious run up the middle was stuffed for a two-yard loss, robbing Shough of a valuable rep. Hill is a boom-bust TE2 against the Panthers next week.