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Jeremy Hill

Sleeper appeal in possible goal-line back?

Jeremy Hill is sitting out there in my dynasty league, and I'm mildly intrigued. He's been pretty awful the last few years, averaging 3.1 to 3.8 yards per attempt three years in a row. But in two of those seasons he scored 9 and 11 TDs, and he could find himself in position to have another such season with New England.

As we've noted in the past, while the Patriots are known for Tom Brady and the passing game, they've long been one of the league's more productive running teams. Especially in terms of touchdowns. Over the past decade, they've scored 183 rushing touchdowns. That's 7 TDs more than 2nd-place Carolina, and 22 more than every other team. Cincinnati, with Hill the main runner for four of those seasons, has been a bottom-1o team in that regard, with 118; under 12 per year.

TEAM RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS, 2008-2017
Team08091011121314151617Total
New England21191918251913141916183
Carolina3018726211410191615176
Minnesota1519161816231218915161
New Orleans2021916101016161723158
Philadelphia1514182010191615169152
Atlanta23151414121111132012145
Baltimore202211151771681014140
Tennessee241913810166101618140
NY Jets20211414121211111013138
Buffalo16661212157192912134
Houston1613201819712788128
San Francisco1012101417181071515128
Dallas12141058121682418127
Green Bay112011129171481113126
NY Giants19141717181113566126
Kansas City9813591718191512125
Washington1289822141591710124
Denver159131112161513118123
Miami18228111581211144123
Pittsburgh161015138910161312122
Seattle107131516142010134122
Arizona14169121012616206121
Cincinnati6981011141918176118
Indianapolis13161381115961311115
Oakland971916416471713112
Jacksonville17191495795818111
Chicago156101011138131013109
Detroit1091191715117910108
LA Chargers1317181649641010107
LA Rams8497510111691796
Cleveland610134124175131195
Tampa Bay135991367128890

The problem with New England is they have plenty of other running backs. Rex Burkhead is the favorite to be the main runner, they drafted Sony Michel in the first round, plus the team still has passing downs back James White and (for now) Mike Gillislee. Gillislee, of course, was supposed to be the beneficiary of all those rushing touchdown opportunities a year ago. He flopped in that role, and ended up being a wasted fantasy pick.

But Hill and his 29 career rushing touchdowns (all in his first three seasons; he had none last year, with Joe Mixon getting the most chances) is a strong candidate for that work, and he's got more of a track record than Gillislee. Burkhead should be the primary runner, White the passing-downs back, and maybe they bring Michel along quickly. But there's an opportunity for Hill to be the main back near the goal line, maybe an 8-10 TD player again.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index