FA Troy Hill would give Jacksonville Jaguars CB room significant boost

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to add talent to every position group this offseason, and their cornerback room is no different. If they are interested in bringing in someone in the open market, they should strongly consider signing Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill, who is scheduled to become a free agent.

Hill won’t be at the top of many free agent lists, but he was paramount to the Rams’ defensive success in 2020. Head coach Sean McVay called him and safety John Johnson ‘really big-time parts of what was the number one defense in the NFL‘. Although it may sound like hyperbole at first, Hill was a key cog in Los Angeles’ defense last season, leading the league with three defensive touchdowns last season.

Even though Hill didn’t have much of an impact early in his career, he has become a solid slot cornerback for the Rams, starting 32 games in the last three seasons. In his five-year stint in Los Angeles, Hill has logged 212 total tackles, 29 passes defensed, and seven interceptions. Moreover, he is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded slot cornerback in the last two years.

Troy Hill would solidify the Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback room.

The ‘Jags’ have starting cornerback in C.J. Henderson. However, Sidney Jones, Greb Mabin, and D.J. Hayden are all set to become free agents and it’s uncertain if the team’s brass will bring any of them back. Hayden previously handled slot duties but dealt with injuries last season. Hill, who has the flexibility to line up in the slot and outside, could be the Jaguars’ starter in the slot in 2021.

Last season, Hill played 55 percent of the Rams’ total snaps on defense in the slot, and even though he gave up a 70.3 completion rate, he just allowed a solid 9.8 yards per reception. Also, PFF projects that the cornerback will earn $5.25 million per year with his next contract, which would fit Jacksonville’s 2021 budget.

Although the ‘Jags’ have the cap space to make a couple of splash additions in free agency, it wouldn’t take much to sign Hill. This would in turn help them use their draft picks to target other roster needs, such as their defensive line or their tight end room.