There's a definite drumbeat starting over Saints utilityman Taysom Hill getting more work in the 2024 offense. Hill says new OC Klint Kubiak has brought a "really clear, distinct vision" for the offense, which has included new stuff. "It's weird to say after seven years of doing what I've been doing, that I'm being asked to do things that I've never done before. But I think that is exciting," he said this week, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell.
Kubiak at the beginning of OTAs: "Taysom has been phenomenal here early. We've been kind of moving him in a lot of spots, as he's done his entire career, really intelligent guy. So, looking forward to ... giving him a lot of volume early and then we'll start narrowing it down as we get closer to the season."
NOLA.com's Luke Johnson: "Kubiak clearly intends to take full advantage of Taysom Hill’s versatility. Wednesday, Hill was at various points lined up as a running back in a single-back formation."
SI.com's John Hendrix: "Folks. I don't know how else to put this, but the Taysom Hill element to this Saints offense has major potential. Today we saw him being used as a halfback more and more. ... New Orleans is using a lot of motion involving Hill, including that speed motion that will surely confuse some defenses. This could get really fun really fast."
We've obviously heard before about the potential for Hill to get more involved in the offense. Most of us have probably picked him up on the heels of a more active game -- and maybe even tried to use him the following week. Only to have Hill let us down.
Even if Hill does get more regular work this year, he's not likely to become a player you can trust in your fantasy lineup on a weekly basis.
Hill has never averaged more than 6.0 carries per game in any season, and last year's 2.1 receptions per game nearly doubled his previous high.
Fortunately, carrying the TE designation in most leagues requires fewer weekly touches than if Hill qualified elsewhere. And he could certainly present a high weekly ceiling.
That makes Hill worth incorporating as a TE2 in your best ball drafting -- especially in leagues with playoff weeks, which amplify the value of weekly upside.
Hill turns 34 in August and has been with the Saints his entire career. A new OC gives credence to there actually being some change this year. But don't over-commit to that possibility. All told, it's tough to get excited about Hill's long-term outlook.
If Hill actually plays more HB snaps -- especially near the goal line -- then he could siphon some TDs from Alvin Kamara and/or Kendre Miller. We're not adjusting any of those guys just yet, though.
Hill's valuation will remain all over the place. Underdog Fantasy and the FFPC have him at QB, which obviously cuts way into his fantasy value. It's much easier to start a volatile weekly scorer at TE than QB.
Hill sits at TE18 on Drafters, which uses a full-PPR format that doesn't maximize Hill's scoring potential.
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