Detroit Lions tight end Josh Hill announced his retirement on Thursday, less than two months after he signed with the team as a free agent. Detroit signed veteran Darren Fells as a replacement. The soon-to-be 31-year-old spent his first eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints before being released. His one-year deal was scheduled to pay him $1.2 million in 2021. Hill became a versatile blocker, receiver, special-teamer and occasional fullback in his time with the Saints after going undrafted out of Idaho State in 2013. He'll finish his career with 116 catches for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns in the regular season. Hill added another 15 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown in the postseason.
The Detroit Lions signed former New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill to an undisclosed contract on Saturday. New Detroit head coach Dan Campbell has a relationship with Hill when he worked with him as the tight ends coach in New Orleans. Hill spent nine years with the Saints before his release and has 116 catches for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career. Detroit released Jesse James earlier this week, so Hill should serve as the primary backup to T.J. Hockenson in his new home. The 30-year-old is unlikely to have any fantasy relevance unless Hockenson misses time with an injury. Hill was used very sparingly for the Saints in 2020, catching just eight passes on 10 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown in 14 games (seven starts). His career-high for catches came in 2019, when he had 25 receptions for 226 yards and three scores in 16 games (11 starts).
New Orleans Saints executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis announced on Wednesday that the team has terminated the contracts of tight ends Jared Cook and Josh Hill. Cook is a 12-year veteran who was originally selected in the third round of the 2009 draft out of South Carolina. Since joining the Saints in 2019, he has recorded 80 catches for 1,209 yards (15.1 average) and 16 touchdowns, which is tied for the second-most TDs at the position during that span. The 33-year-old was due an $8.04 million roster bonus on the second day of the new league year. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019, when he had 43 catches for 705 yards and nine touchdowns. With both Cook and Hill now out of the picture in New Orleans, Adam Trautman could be a name to watch as a sleeper at the position in 2021.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill will play more than expected in 2020, in the opinion of NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal. Hill played a similar percentage of snaps as Jared Cook last season, even when Cook was healthy. However, unless Cook suffers an injury and misses time, Hill will likely remain on most league's waiver wire. Wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith is the most obvious candidate for snaps as the No. 3 behind Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders after he quietly scored 10 touchdowns the last two years. But much like Hill, Smith's fantasy value will remain low as long as Thomas and Sanders remain healthy.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill caught his only target for a five-yard touchdown in a 34-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Hill was a part of history, as his third-quarter score was the 54oth of Drew Brees' career, making him the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes. While he's caught a touchdown in back-to-back games, the 29-year-old won't have consistent fantasy value unless Jared Cook is injured.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill caught two of four targets for four yards and a touchdown in a 48-46 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Hill filled in for Jared Cook (concussion) and reeled in a red zone score. Hill filled in admirably for Cook earlier in the year and could have a chance to do so again in a favorable matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, if Cook is unable to go.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill didn't do much for fantasy purposes in Week 8. He caught three of a season-high five targets for 39 yards from returning starter Drew Brees. Hill caught a touchdown last week filling in for Jared Cook (ankle) though he couldn't duplicate the feat this week. The Saints head into the Week 9 bye and could potentially get Cook back from injury for their Week 10 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. If so, Hill will not be on the fantasy radar.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill will start his second straight game in place of injured starter Jared Cook (ankle) in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. The 29-year-old caught all three targets for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears last week. It's too good of a matchup for Hill here, as Arizona ranks last in the NFL against tight ends in terms of fantasy points and touchdowns. He's touchdown-or-bust but could be targeted a couple times in the red-zone this week. The veteran tight end is a low-end streaming option this week.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill filled in admirably for injured starter Jared Cook (ankle) in Week 7. The 29-year-old caught all three of his targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater found Hill wide-open in the flat for an easy seven-yard touchdown. The veteran tight end likely doesn't have fantasy value unless Cook is unable to play. He's not a recommended start, even though he's now caught at least three passes in three games this year. Whoever suits up at tight end for the Saints will get an excellent matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, ranked dead-last in points surrendered to the position.
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill was only targeted one time in Sunday's preseason win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill wasn't spotted at the Saints-Chargers joint practice last Friday, but obviously there is nothing to worry about, as Hill suited up for Sunday's game. Hill should be avoided in fantasy lineups with tight end Jared Cook taking over the starting role. Expect Hill to be used primarily as a blocker this season.
