Justin Hilliard 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’-1”
Weight: 231 pounds
School: Ohio State
Justin Hilliard 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Inching closer to April’s NFL Draft, teams are sure to be evaluating all possible abilities and traits of eligible players. Perhaps the most difficult trait to determine conclusively is a player being labeled as injury prone. Unfortunately, Ohio State’s Justin Hilliard has carried that label throughout his college career. Injuries to his biceps and ACL nagged him in his first few campaigns, but the linebacker persevered through and was granted a sixth year of eligibility. Hilliard, then healthy, finally put together a nice season in his senior year logging 33 tackles, three forced fumbles, and an interception in an extended role.
Hilliard came to Ohio State as a five star recruit after receiving Division I Player of the Year honors, and the High School Dick Butkus award, having to redshirt his freshman year with a torn bicep. A reserve in his second season, Hilliard injured his bicep again, therefore ending his year. 2017 was a full 14 games of good health for Hilliard, and he maintained it through 2018, even leading the team with six special team tackles. After a spring ACL tear in 2019 , Hilliard posted 13 tackles, three for loss, and an interception. He only started three of twelve games that year. Finally coming into a larger starting role in his sixth year, Hilliard eventually put it all together, starting four of six games in the shortened season. Hilliard’s clutch performance against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship helped propel Ohio State into the College Football Playoff in 2020.
Strengths
- Stays in heavy pursuit with a high motor;
- Instinctual tackler – plays very well in space;
- Special teams core player – 19 total tackles on ST;
- Resilient – produced after major and minor injury;
- Disrupts scheme blocking with attack;
Weaknesses
- College career riddled with injury;
- Loses contain duties against dual threat quarterbacks;
- Lacks true NFL level athleticism;
- Struggles in man coverage due to speed;
- Is quick to react, but slow to move towards the ball;
NFL Comparison: Alex Anzalone
Teams With Need at Position: Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals
Projection: Fifth Round
Bottom Line on Justin Hilliard
A long six years at Ohio State molded and took its toll on Hilliard’s status going into the NFL Draft. Plagued early by injuries, Hilliard shows that he can return from his woes ready to produce at a steady level. When healthy, the former Buckeye has what it takes to be an inside linebacker at the NFL level. An impressive pro day may be evidence that Hilliard is peaking at just the right time. A 34.5 inch vertical, 4.81 40 yard dash time, and 28 bench press reps could help his draft stock after injuries offset it. Conversely, he could fall into a later round. Look for a team that is hungry for depth to select Hilliard, the Jaguars, for instance. Coach Urban Meyer is familiar with the Ohio State defender and was seen speaking with Hilliard at his pro day. A reunion could be in the making.
Hilliard excels at being a high IQ, high motor kind of player, however, he severely lacks the elite athleticism that it takes to maintain consistency in the NFL. His first step to the point of attack leaves something to be desired. In addition to playing well in space and zone coverage, Hilliard is a solid tackler. Alternatively, he is slightly deficient when in man against bigger targets. His resilience is obvious, however, questions remain about whether or not he can stay on the field for consecutive seasons. Above all, his talents on special teams could draw serious attention. Hilliard is becoming an intriguing prospect slated to land somewhere in the middle rounds of the draft, come April 29th.
