The Green Bay Packers’ offense will go through schematic changes next season. They will lean more on the running game without Davante Adams, and it will be vital to have multiple options at running back. As a result, a seventh-round pick from last year’s draft, Kylin Hill, can find a larger role.
Back when I thought the Packers would lose Aaron Jones, I watched videos of Kylin Hill in the hopes of finding a running back with a similar skill set. I filtered 2021 RB prospects by weight and searched for players between 200 and 215 lbs. Then I watched film of each of them, and Hill was the ideal replacement in my mind. I was comfortable taking a chance on him in the fifth round (the same spot where the Packers drafted Jones), so the seventh-round pick was a great value.
I’m not saying that Hill will be as good as Jones, nor that they are identical. Jones is stronger, but Hill is very agile and appears to be a better kick returner. He is a reliable third option at running back and might be a useful special-teamer, especially if the blocking schemes improve under Rich Bisaccia.
NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Hill before the draft as a downhill back who can leverage and unlock impressive power against opposing tacklers.
“Hill has a ground-gaining jump-cut with adequate ability to elude second-level tacklers, but his primary mode of operation is to run with force and create with power,” wrote Zierlien. “He’s a grinder who lacks burst and vision to slash and create chunk runs but could offer a change-of-pace banger and short-yardage option with some third-down value.”
Hill had a chance to show his skills last preseason and turned in a good performance, including a touchdown reception after a screen pass from Jordan Love against the Houston Texans. His effort led to a positive review by running backs coach Ben Sirmans.
“He’s got really good instincts,” said Sirmans, who has worked with Packers RBs since 2016. “I think he understands how to process what’s in front of him, how the defense is reacting, so he can counter with his quickness. He’s got really good quickness and really explosive cutting ability. He knows how to use those things at the right time.”
Hill had a limited role in his rookie season with Jones and A.J. Dillon ahead of him on the depth chart and heavy usage of passes in neutral situations. The young running back carried the ball 10 times for 24 yards, plus one reception for five yards in the regular season. His most significant contribution was in the return game, where he had 10 kick returns for 199 yards, including a 41-yard scramble. Jones and Dillon will remain ahead on the depth chart, but Jones could be more involved in the passing game, and the use of 21 personnel should be more frequent.
Hill’s first season ended in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. He tried to return a kick from the end zone, was hit hard by Jonathan Ward, and tore his ACL.
Hill isn’t guaranteed a spot as soon as he returns, though. There will be competition in camp for RB3. After Hill’s injury, Patrick Taylor was promoted to the active roster and showed some strong attributes. It’s a different style, similar to what the Packers had with Jamaal Williams, but Taylor finished the season with 23 rushes for 89 yards (3.9 yards per attempt).
The contest between Hill and Taylor could be not only for the RB3 position but also for a roster spot. The last time the Packers finished a season with four running backs on the roster was in 2019 (Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, Tyler Ervin, and Dexter Williams). Last training camp, Hill won the battle, and Taylor started the regular season on the practice squad.
The Packers will add wide receivers, but they know their running backs will be an important factor in mitigating the impact of Adams’ departure. Hill has the physical abilities and could add another dimension to Green Bay’s offense because of his versatility and capacity to run and receive, in addition to his role on special teams.
After drafting Hill last year, Brian Gutekunst said the running back has a “bright future.” Now it’s time to show it.
