What can the Vikings expect from Holton Hill in 2020?
By Dean Jones
Hill’s progress
The Vikings took a flyer on Holton Hill as an undrafted free agent in 2018. They have been rewarded with some very good displays that should put him in contention to see more of the field next season.
Hill saw the field in all 16 regular-season games during his rookie campaign. He was on the field for 36 percent of the team’s defensive snaps on his way to 36 tackles, seven pass deflections, and an interception.
This was more than the Vikings’ coaching staff could have hoped for in terms of gaining any meaningful production from Hill. Things did not get off to the best start in 2019 thanks to an eight-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse and performance-enhancing drug policies.
The ban was a big blow to a Minnesota secondary that was burned on countless occasions during the season. Hill took his time getting back to game shape and he played in just 14 percent of the defense’s snaps during the regular season.
He recorded 13 total tackles and a pass deflection in 2019, but Hill was unable to help a Vikings cornerback group that was short on confidence. This ensures that he still has plenty to prove heading into 2020 if he wants to extend his stay with the franchise.
There is definite potential regarding Hill. But after losing most of his sophomore season to stupid off-the-field decisions, it remains to be seen whether this has had an adverse effect on his overall development going forward.