With the 2018 NFL Draft just around the corner, there’s an anticipation growing around an NC State football team that could see upwards of seven former players get their name called during the three-day affair in Arlington, Texas beginning April 26.
While much of the attention around the Pack is focused on defensive end Bradley Chubb, who is projected as a potential top-five pick, the rest of the NC State defensive line, which has four players likely to get drafted including Chubb, should not be overlooked.
A stalwart of that defensive line for the last four years has been tackle B.J. Hill, who leaves NC State with 44 career starts, more than anyone else in the outgoing defensive class, and finished up his years with the Pack with 57 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble in his last season.
While the numbers don’t jump off the page, Hill and fellow outgoing defensive tackle Justin Jones played key roles in plugging the front of the opposing offensive line, drawing attention and double teams that allowed Chubb and Kentavius Street to be a nightmare in the backfield.
Since the end of the NC State season, Hill, along with the rest of his defensive line “brothers,” have made the rounds of draft preparation. Hill competed in the Senior Bowl, alongside Jones, and totaled one tackle.
At the NFL Combine, Hill showed off his athleticism and strength. Hill did 35 reps in the bench press, the third-best mark for all defensive linemen. His 40-yard dash time of 4.99 was the 14th-fastest time for the d linemen. Hill also did drills and showcased his abilities at NC State’s pro day.
“I’ve had a great couple of months,” Hill said at pro day. “I felt good doing both [the combine and pro day]. I’m an athlete. I feel like I came out and showed that.”
Hill is athletic and strong, and will likely be the second of NC State’s four defensive linemen drafted. According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Hill will be a third-round selection that Zierlein compares to former Denver Broncos nose tackle Marvin Austin.
Zierlein says that Hill’s athleticism, movement and instincts are a strength for the 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive lineman. The weaknesses for Hill include struggling against double teams and a lack of “strength at [the] point of attack.”
Every team in the NFL needs depth at defensive line, with teams using deep rotations of players in games. While anyone could potentially be a suitor for a guy like Hill, or his teammate Jones a few rounds later, a few teams do have more significant needs up front.
The Atlanta Falcons lost defensive tackle Dontari Poe in the offseason, and have just one defensive tackle currently on their roster. While Hill is smaller than Poe, the Falcons should be looking to add a few guys to their roster.
Another team with a need at defensive tackle is the Kansas City Chiefs, who lost nose tackle Bennie Logan to free agency and also are very thin at that spot going into the draft.
Wherever Hill ends up, he should get the chance to play as a rotational player right away. For him, his experience at NC State with the coaching staff and his “brothers” on the defensive line has prepared him for the next step.
“This university means a lot to me. I wouldn’t change anything,” Hill said. “Wherever I go, I’m going to give it my all.”
