Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Rookie free agent profile: Aaron Hill, OLB, Minnesota

Aaron Hill 6'0.5” 231
OLB, Minnesota

Rankings:
NFLDraftScout: 55th-ranked outside linebacker, #663 player overall, free agent grade.
Nawrocki: 33rd-ranked OLB. Grade: 4.85, late draftable or priority free agent capable of battling for a roster spot. Graded for NFL.com, was not ranked in the NFL Draft 2014 Preview.
Scouts Inc: 49th-ranked OLB. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.

Biography/Honors:
2013: Honorable mention all-Big “Ten”. Unconfirmed but likely he played in and started all 13 games. 72 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions (returned one for TD), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (returned one for TD) and a pass breakup.
2012: Played in all 13 games, starting 11. 74 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions (returned one for TD) and 3 forced fumbles.
2011: Played in 9 games, starting two. 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one pass breakup.
2010: Played in all 12 games, starting two. 14 tackles and a fumble recovered.
2009: Redshirted as a walk-on.

Off-field:
Academics: Majored in applied kinesiology. Academic all-Big “Ten” in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Injuries:
2011: Missed three games due to unspecified injury.

Pro day results: (not invited to NFL Combine)

4.73 40 (4.71 was the average for OLBs at the Combine)
32” vertical jump (35.5”)
9'5” broad jump (9'11”)
7.06 3-cone drill (7.02)
4.30 20-yard shuttle (4.23)
21 bench press (22)

Scouting report:
Positives: Three-year starter and a team captain. Physically aggressive but disciplined. Good range. Gets to the edge quickly. Has good straight-line speed and can stay with his assignments. Flashes nice pop as a tackler. Special teams experience and mentality. Tough, smart, plays hard and with confidence. Rams LB coach Frank Bush said he picked things up quickly in OTAs and has adjusted well to the speed of the pro game.

Negatives: Too small for the strong side, too stiff and tight for the weak side. Plays too upright. Limited flexibility and explosiveness. Easily blocked at the point of attack. Bites on play-action. Runs around blockers instead of taking them on and runs himself out of plays. Gets lost in traffic. Tight dropping in coverage, not a natural cover man. Will miss tackles in space. Needs to improve tackling technique. Doesn't really have the mobility to be effective on special teams.

Compares to: Justin Cole

Fun Facts: Aaron is a St. Louisan who was all-state in football and track at Lutheran North in St. Charles. He majored in applied kinesiology with an eye toward becoming a strength and conditioning coach.

RamView: As training camp opened, the Rams made some moves I'm not sure bode well for Hill. They brought in a couple of slightly more-experienced LBs and cut fellow RFA Tavarius Wilson, who I considered very similar to Hill athletically. Hill's not out of the running by any means, though; the good impression he made in OTAs will give him a chance to make a lasting impression in training camp, more than likely on special teams.

Chance of making team: 25%

Sources: NFL.com, ESPN.com, NFLDraftScout.com, DraftInsider.net, University of Minnesota athletics, Minnesota Daily

Photo: St. Paul Pioneer Press

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