The Athletic's Nick Kosmider suggests that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton could target New Orleans Saints tight ends Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill (knee) this offseason. Johnson signed with the Saints when Payton was still the head coach in 2020 and had seven touchdowns in Payton's final season in 2022. The 28-year-old played in all 17 games in 2023 and finished with career-highs in catches (50) and receiving yards (548). His 18 TD receptions since 2021 are tied for seventh-most among all TEs in that span. Johnson also ranks sixth among all TEs the last four years in average air yards per target (8.64). He'd give Denver a downfield threat at the position that they've been lacking. Hill, a do-it-all 34-year-old that has been a RB and WR for Payton in the past in New Orleans, could be cut by the Saints this offseason after tearing his ACL in 2024. He'd give Denver another option in the short-yardage running game, an area they struggled at this past season.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Tuesday that it's hard to imagine that tight end Taysom Hill (knee) will be back with the New Orleans Saints in 2025. Hill is recovering from a season-ending torn left ACL last December and will carry an almost $18 million salary cap hit into next season, so the Saints' front office has a decision to make on the Swiss Army Knife player this offseason. He'll have a $10 million base salary (not guaranteed) in 2025, and the rest is in the form of a prorated signing bonus. The 34-year-old faces a nine-month recovery and will most likely not be ready for the start of the 2025 season. The Saints could get creative and look to restructure his deal, but cutting him isn't out of the question, either, as he's also been linked to retirement rumors. Hill was once again extremely unpredictable for fantasy purposes in 2024, with three of his six rushing touchdowns coming in one game.
Saints Officially Send Taysom Hill To Injured Reserve
The New Orleans Saints officially placed tight end Taysom Hill (knee) on Injured Reserve on Friday. In addition to suffering an ACL tear in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Hill also suffered additional damage to his left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. It's a tough blow for the 34-year-old and the Saints offense after Hill had 188 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns just two weeks ago. He did it all for the Saints on offense and special teams and will be sorely missed the rest of the way, which should lead to even more volume for running back Alvin Kamara. Hill's fantasy value was peaking just before his injury. He should have already been dropped in redraft leagues, and Hill's availability for the start of the 2025 season could be in jeopardy. Tight end Juwan Johnson becomes stream-worthy in Week 14 against the Giants with six teams on bye.
Tests Confirm Season-Ending Knee Injury For Taysom Hill
Tests on Monday confirmed that New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, according to a source. Hill suffered the devastating knee injury in the second half against LA and had to be carted off the field and into the locker room. Before going down, the 34-year-old veteran carried the ball five times for 10 yards and caught five of his seven targets for 37 yards through the air. The loss of Hill, the Saints' most multi-faceted weapon on offense by far, is a major blow for the offense down the stretch. Obviously, he can be dumped in single-year fantasy leagues. With Hill out the rest of the way, running backs Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams will most likely see more targets. Tight end Juwan Johnson, who had a season-high-tying five catches on Sunday, should also see more looks through the air. UPDATE: Hill suffered a torn ACL and additional damage to his knee.
Saints Fear Taysom Hill Suffered Season-Ending Knee Injury
Updating previous reports, New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (knee) was carted off the field in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a knee injury that the team fears is season-ending, according to sources. Hill will undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, but the Saints aren't expecting good news. Before being carted off at the Caesars Superdome, the do-it-all offensive player had five rushing attempts for 10 yards and caught five of his seven targets for a team-high 37 yards through the air. Hill's seven targets and five receptions were tied for the team lead. The 34-year-old had 138 rushing yards and three TDs before the team's Week 12 bye and is by far the team's most versatile offensive weapons, so losing him for the rest of the year would be a big blow for the Saints' offense. Juwan Johnson will be worth waiver-wire consideration this coming week.
News Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (knee) will undergo testing to determine the severity of the knee injury he picked up in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 34-year-old was knocked from the contest late in the fourth quarter after appearing to take a helmet to his left knee as he attempted to pick up a first down. Unfortunately, Hill was ultimately carted off the field. It'd be unfortunate news for the team if he were forced to miss time, as he's been a force this season in his do-it-all role for the Saints. Before his exit from the matchup, the eighth-year hybrid athlete totaled ten yards on his five carries while leading his team with five receptions and 37 yards on seven targets.
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (knee) exited Sunday's meeting with the Los Angeles Rams. He is doubtful to return, although it's likely he won't be back. The veteran was all over the place in this one, catching five passes for 37 yards and rushing for 10 yards off five carries. Unfortunately, he took a hard hit late in the fourth quarter and needed to be carted off the field. Without question, fantasy managers are hoping the injury isn't anything serious, especially since Hill has missed time already this season. He'll likely undergo further testing, so an update should be coming soon. But since Hill does so much on the offensive end, everyone on that side of the ball could benefit from his absence.
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill went off in Week 11, taking seven carries for a career-high 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns, catching eight passes for 50 receiving yards, and completing an 18-yard pass. Hill also logged a 42-yard kick return in the win over the Browns. While it would be unreasonable to expect a repeat performance, fantasy managers can look forward to Hill being a more regular part of the Saints' offense going forward. Over the last four games, Hill has drawn 5.3 targets and five rushing attempts per game. Those numbers were buoyed by his massive Week 11 when he saw season-highs in targets and carries. Earlier this week, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said of Hill "I think sprinkling him a little bit everywhere is when we're at our best." Up next, the Saints take on the Los Angeles Rams, who have given up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this year and are allowing 4.59 yards per carry. Hill may not pop off like his last game but he is in line for another week in the top 12.
Taysom Hill Will Continue To Be Sprinkled In Everywhere
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he thinks the usage of tight end Taysom Hill the last few weeks is trending toward where the team wants it to be the rest of the season. "I think sprinkling him a little bit everywhere is when we're at our best," Rizzi said. The Saints are coming off their bye week, with Hill most notably going off for a career day in the Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns, catching eight of 10 targets for 50 yards while also carrying the ball a season-high seven times for 138 yards and a whopping three rushing touchdowns. In addition, he completed one pass for 18 yards and an interception while returning a kickoff 42 yards. While fantasy managers can't expect a repeat of the 34-year-old's big day in Week 11, Hill has the ability to operate as a TE1 in fantasy the rest of the way with receiver Chris Olave (concussion) still on Injured Reserve.
The Taysom Hill boom game we were all waiting for finally happened in Week 11. Hill had A career-high 138 rushing yards with three touchdowns on seven carries and led the Saints in receptions and targets, bringing in eight of his ten looks for 50 yards. He fulfilled the rest of his utility role with an 18-yard completion and a 42-yard kickoff return. His work in New Orleans' 35-14 win over the Browns equated to a whopping 42.52 PPR points. Hill threw an interception on his only other pass attempt in the game and lost a fumble but the turnovers did not deter the Saints from turning away from their jack of all trades. Since his Week 8 return from a multi-week absence due to injury, Hill is averaging 8.3 touches per game and has four touchdowns thanks to his performance against Cleveland. New Orleans is on bye in Week 12 but Hill will continue to be a factor thereafter.