Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill intriguing prospect for the New Orleans Saints

Looking towards the draft the Saints hold no first round pick, having traded that to the New England Patriots last year to get back into the first round to select Alabama running back Mark Ingram.

New Orleans won’t pick until the second round, 59th overall, and while one could make an argument for a defensive lineman, linebacker, or corner, it could also be said taking a receiver there makes a lot of sense.

One potential target could be Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill.

Hill tied for the fastest forty time for a wide receiver at this years combine after throwing down a blazing 4.36 that tied Miami’s Benjamin Travis — a 5’10 172 pound speedster.

What’s impressive is that Hill stands 6’4 and weighs 215 pounds — the size/speed combination that NFL teams covet.

Those measurements compare favorably to Colston, who also stands 6’4, but has more weight at 225 pounds.

At the combine in 2006 Colston ran a 4.5 forty, had a vertical leap of 37 inches, and a broad jump of 123 inches.

Hill bested all these marks, obviously in the forty yard dash, but also with his vertical leap (39.5 inches) and broad jump (133 inches).

Should the Saints actually lose Colston it is fair to say that they could plug-in Hill and achieve similar results, although no one would expect Colston-like production his rookie season.

All of the receivers on New Orleans roster are shorter in stature, with exception to the 6’3 Adrian Arrington, and with Colston gone it also makes sense the Saints add a receiver with height that quarterback Drew Brees can throw jump balls.

Last year at Georgia Tech Hill caught 28 passes for 820 yards and five touchdowns. Quick math tells us that his yards per reception is 29.28, which was the best in college  football.

However Hill doesn’t come without concerns as the general consensus from scouts is that his knowledge of the game, having run a limited route tree in college, needs improvement as does his consistency catching the football.

He could however find a home with the Saints, with coaching, development, and the best quarterback in the game today throwing him the football, develop into a solid wide receiver.

Hill was projected to be taken in the fourth round, but his combine performance has likely rocketed him up draft boards around the league — so 59th overall may not be such a stretch for the Saints to select to him.