PFF scouting report: Delano Hill, S, Michigan

Name: Delano Hill

School: Michigan

Position fit: Strong safety

Stats to know: Ranked 10th in tackling efficiency among all safeties in 2016 season.

What he does best:

• Physicality allows Hill to shed blockers outside; excelled at this when playing press-man, in the slot, or on the perimeter.
• Solid wrap-up tackler who consistently stays square to the ball.
• Gave up catches on just 22 of 40 targets in 2016 with seven total passes breakups and a QB rating against of 61.0.
• Once locked onto a target in coverage, Hill has the speed and physicality to stay sticky.
• Times his attacks on the ball well; does so without putting himself at risk for penalties.
• Does an excellent job of identifying route concepts when playing inside the box; works quickly to recover from picks.
• Flashes versatility with his ability to play man coverage in the slot, as well as defend the run effectively from the edge.

Biggest concern:

• Shows some stiffness in transition; can be beaten off the break when in man coverage.
• Has a tendency to jump the first move, leaving him susceptible to doubles.
• Lacks the elite burst needed to consistently close from off the ball.
• At times will attack pursuit angles too aggressively, which gives runner.s the chance to bounce outside.
• When beaten at the break point in off coverage, he struggles to recover in time to prevent catches in front.

Player comparison: Darian Stewart, Denver Broncos

Stewart is a competent player close to the line of scrimmage — in particular against the run — because of his good size and physicality. The further he is off the ball, like Hill, the more he struggles to close the gap on receivers because he lacks great change of direction and explosion.

Bottom line: Hill is a unique prospect because all of his NFL Combine measurements are truly representative of his film. He ran an official 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and that solid straight-line speed is apparent from his reel. He measured out at 6-foot-1, 216 pounds, and he uses his size and natural strength well when attacking blockers at the line of scrimmage, as well as playing press coverage in the slot. There were some less-impressive numbers from Indianapolis, as well, and these too didn't come as a surprise, given his film. He broad-jumped 9-foot-7, and had a short shuttle at 4.27 seconds; both of these figures illustrate his lack of elite change of direction and closing speed. While Hill isn’t a top-end athlete, his ability to tackle consistently and play in the box make him look like a potential NFL starter. Due to the strength of the safety class, he can probably be selected on day three, but teams looking for a strong safety capable of pressing from the slot, as well as playing the run, should have significant interest.

DOMINATE FANTASY FOOTBALL & BETTING WITH AI-POWERED DATA & TOOLS TRUSTED BY ALL 32

Unlimited Fantasy League Sync

Fantasy Start/Sit Line-Up Optimizer & Waiver Wire

WR-CB & OL-DL Matchups, PFF Player Grades, & Premium Stats 2.0 Tools

Nathan Jahnkes Rankings - #1 Most Accurate Last 70 Weeks

PFF Best Bets, Player Props, & Power Ranking Tools

NFL Mock Draft Sim with Trades & Draft Grades

Subscribe now

Already have a subscription? Log In