Taysom Hill Will Have Role In Multiple Positions For Saints Offense
Jul 28, 2022, 1:29 AM
Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints rushes for a one yard touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 29, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU star Taysom Hill had a quiet off-season before training camp. That was due to him recovering from multiple injuries, including a lisfranc he suffered near the end of last year.
But as he did so many times when he was a quarterback for BYU, he’s recovered quickly. The sixth-year NFL veteran was going through drills on day one of the New Orleans Saints training camp on July 27.
However, there’s one significant change from years past; Hill was lining up at tight end instead of at quarterback. So instead of seeing Hill with a no-contact red jersey on, he was in the normal white uniform during Saints practice.
Just as big was seeing Taysom Hill starting camp day one at Tight End. pic.twitter.com/jOZQdwZ88w
— Gus Kattengell (@Gkatt_17) July 27, 2022
That was to be expected seeing Hill line up at tight end. Once former Saints coach Sean Payton retired, the new Saints headman Dennis Allen made it clear Hill was shifting to a tight end role. Putting former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston as QB1 for the Saints.
But the former Raiders head coach and longtime Saints defensive coordinator is still leaving the door open for Hill to get some run at quarterback this year.
Role for Taysom Hill within Saints offense in 2022
“I think it’s going to be very similar to what we’ve seen in the past. You know, I think he’s going to provide multiple roles for us,” Dennis Allen said in a press conference on Hill’s role in 2022. “There will be a lot of work with the tight end grouping. But yet, he’ll still take some snaps from the quarterback position. We’re still going to utilize him in that role.”
Great for Taysom to still have a role with the new regime. But at the same time, it’s a far cry from once being viewed as the successor to Drew Brees at QB.
Instead, the role looks more like the one Hill had when he first got into the league, trying to work his way onto a 53-man roster.
“I don’t see a ton different. There’s going to be a lot of special teams that he’s going to participate in. He’s a really good football player and we want to utilize his skill set,” Allen said. “And he can help us win football games.”
Could Taysom be an RB1 if Alvin Kamara is suspended?
Allen was asked if Hill could be a replacement at running back if star Alvin Kamara is suspended at some point this season. The NFL is currently monitoring the battery case that involved Kamara during Pro Bowl weekend in Las Vegas last January.
“Well, I wouldn’t rule anything out for Taysom in terms of what he’s capable of doing,” said Allen. “Hell, we tried to recruit him to play SAM linebacker for us a couple of years ago. So, he’s certainly a versatile player and we’re going to utilize him in a lot of different roles.”
As a starting quarterback with the Saints, Hill has a record of 7-2 and has thrown for 1,906 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
