Kylin Hill is a densely built physical running back from Mississippi State University. He followed up a great 2019 by playing just 3 games in 2020, in which he wasn’t used to the extent of his capabilities because of Mike Leach’s air raid system. He’s a very physical runner who gives a lot of effort and he should be good at the next level.

Strengths: 

  • Very Physical

Kylin Hill is a slashing runner who invites contact with defenders and often initiates it. He’s great bouncing off of this contact and it wears out defenders over the course of a game.

  • Creative Runner

Kylin Hill is a very creative runner who just knows how to influence defenders’ decisions and he has a lot of moves in his arsenal to make defenders look silly.

  • Great Change of Direction

Kylin Hill is electric with the ball in the open field as he’s extremely twitchy and with his creativity he’s able to quickly change directions and leave defenders behind.

  • Nice Contact Balance

Kylin Hill can bounces off of defenders once he gets going and since he’s extremely physical he’s the one initiating the contact which makes it even easier to break tackles.

  • Huge Improvement in Passing Game

There was a noticeable increase in production in the passing game from 2019 to 2020. He likely did a lot of work in the offseason and overall he had better hands and route running and he will stay on the field all 3 downs in the NFL.

  • Amazing Pass Blocker

Kylin Hill is probably the best blocking running back in the entire draft class. He shows high effort at all times but he doesn’t overcommit and get beat by speed. He has the frame, effort, and technique to be a great blocker at the RB position.

Weaknesses: 

  • Not Great Long Speed

Once Kylin Hill reaches the open field he’s not the type of player to breakaway and finish these long plays in the end zone. He’s going to get caught from behind by defenders at the NFL level.

  • Not Very Patient

At times Kylin Hill can be full speed ahead which really limits his ability to make big plays and to use his vision. Sometimes he’s so out of control that he just launches himself at defenders to get extra yards when instead he could be trying to reach the open field.

Player Comp: Aaron Jones is a near perfect player comparison for Kylin Hill if he develops into everything that he can. Jones is also an extremely creative runner with great change of direction ability. He doesn’t have elite long speed but he is physical and has great vision. He is a 3 down back because of his high effort blocking and receiving ability. Almost all of these things describe Kylin Hill and at his ceiling Hill will be just as good as Jones. 

Final Thoughts: Kylin Hill is a running back who I’m a lot higher on than most people. He’s going to be best between the tackles and he balances being physical and using his agility incredibly well which makes him extremely scary at the next level. I think that he should be a guy who goes in the mid to later part of the 2nd round in the draft while others have him pegged as a Day 3 guy. He has few weaknesses and a lot of potential and I definitely think that he could hit that potential if coached up well. A landing spot I think would be great for him would be Buffalo where he would be able to play the slashing style of football that the Bills could really use to help set the tone.