First Impressions on Texans LB Jamal Hill

With the 188th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select:

Jamal Hill, LB - Oregon

Measurables:

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 226 lbs.
• Arm: 32 â…œ”
• Hand: 8 6/8”
• 40-Yard Dash: 4.41 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 33”
• Broad Jump: 10’1”

Awards:

• 2x PAC-12 Champion, 2019 & 2020

Jamal Hill adds another versatile, athletic defenders to the Houston backfield. In his five-year career in Oregon, Hill tallied 147 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, four FFs, and 13 PDs.

Originally a safety for Oregon, Hill eventually bulked up and became an inside linebacker. Despite the increased weight, Hill remained one of the fastest players on Oregon’s defense, flying in to make tackles.

Hill has added ten pounds since his pro day, showing a clear desire to be viewed more as a linebacker than safety. However, Hill is still a bit undersized for the NFL position, and he’d be more likely to succeed on special teams than on defense.

Still, Hill has been a productive athlete in Division I college football for multiple years, now, and that amounts to something. Alec Dietz of the Eugene Register-Guard references some of his best performances while at Oregon:

A consistent contributor for the Ducks, Hill was steady throughout his career. Against Texas Tech in 2023 in his first career start at linebacker Hill forced a fumble, recorded his first career sack and added a pass breakup. During his sophomore season, while still working as a safety, Hill was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week following a two-interception performance in the Pac-12 championship against USC.

It would be a surprise if Jamal Hill ever became a starter, but his body of work makes a productive career, at least on special teams, seem very possible. And, with picks likes these, you’ll never know when you’ll strike gold!

What do you think, though? Is Jamal Hill just what the Texans’ needed, or was this a disappointing selection? Let us know in the comments down below!