Meet Holton Hill, the most interesting player in Vikings camp

The #Vikings are pleased with top draft pick Mike Hughes. And keep an eye on another rookie CB: undrafted Holton Hill, who has starter ability if he can stay clean off the field. Hill told me he hasn’t smoked and feels better since getting help. @nflnetwork

There are few organizations with the Vikings’ stability at head coach and with the level of established veteran leadership.
“I spoke with about two weeks ago  and he said he chose the Vikings for that very reason,” Reagins said. “He has a Hall of Famer as his position coach that he took well upon. He wants to be coached by him. He gave the staff a lot of credit. That’s why he chose to go to Minnesota.”
“He loves coach Gray.”
The Vikings not only offer a good situation, but they have also built a reputation for developing young defensive backs. Under Zimmer, Xavier Rhodes has grown into a Pro Bowler and Trae Waynes took a significant step forward last season.
With the current state of the defensive back group, there is an opening for Hill. Obviously the likes of Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, Mackensie Alexander and first-round pick Mike Hughes will be on the roster. That leaves one potential opening if the Vikings don’t choose to keep return specialist Marcus Sherels.
“He’s got good size, he’s got good speed, he’s’ tough, he’ll hit, I thought a lot of the things that we look for in corners he has,” Zimmer said. “The stop and start, the breaks, and things like that. Out here he’s done a really good job with the things he’s been doing. Obviously he’s still learning a lot about technique and that. We obviously can’t press right now, so that’ll be another see where he’s at once we get to training camp.”

The Viking's culture is becoming more entrenched each year under Zimmer. A very BIG positive and players recognize it.

@"StickyBun" said: The Viking's culture is becoming more entrenched each year under Zimmer. A very BIG positive and players recognize it.

True...

And let's all as fans pause a moment and be mindful of Jerry Gray too. 

Truly an embarrassment of riches in the back four...if Hill plays up to expectations we might be able to parlay some DB talent into some OL help...  

@"BarrNone55" said: Truly an embarrassment of riches in the back four...if Hill plays up to expectations we might be able to parlay some DB talent into some OL help...  

what would X bring in draft compensation next offseason if he has another shut down year?  if Waynes show improvements,  could be resign Trey for less than what we are paying X,  and net a first or high 2nd in exchange?  I love X,  but we are in a position to parlay a strength into something valuable and save cap space in the process.   i know this is crazy to speculate on this early, but if we hit on Hughes and Hill,  their cheaper contracts and the addition of an early round pick to be used on help at other weaker areas might allow us to keep Richardson and the rest of the upcoming FAs.  i just dont see any of the other players that would be as valuable in the trade market and yield as high of cap space.

@"BarrNone55" said: Truly an embarrassment of riches in the back four...if Hill plays up to expectations we might be able to parlay some DB talent into some OL help...  

That'd be one option. But it also would simply allow you to focus your resources elsewhere. Instead of needing to worry about the CB position you could focus on how you want to improve other areas of the team. 

I don't see how Sherels is going to survive this year. Hughes has experience and success in PRing in college and if Hill continues to impress, its over for him.

@"StickyBun" said: I don't see how Sherels is going to survive this year. Hughes has experience and success in PRing in college and if Hill continues to impress, its over for him.

While we've all said this several times over his career... I think this is the most likely the year his run ends unless we see some real let dows from what we've heard through mini camps and OTAs.  As many punts as our D forces though,  Hughes or who ever better shown near perfect ball security through camp as MS is about as clutch as there has been in taking care of that ball.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"BarrNone55" said: Truly an embarrassment of riches in the back four...if Hill plays up to expectations we might be able to parlay some DB talent into some OL help...  

what would X bring in draft compensation next offseason if he has another shut down year?  if Waynes show improvements,  could be resign Trey for less than what we are paying X,  and net a first or high 2nd in exchange?  I love X,  but we are in a position to parlay a strength into something valuable and save cap space in the process.   i know this is crazy to speculate on this early, but if we hit on Hughes and Hill,  their cheaper contracts and the addition of an early round pick to be used on help at other weaker areas might allow us to keep Richardson and the rest of the upcoming FAs.  i just dont see any of the other players that would be as valuable in the trade market and yield as high of cap space.

id say if we were to trade anyone it might be a sign and trade deal on waynes only because he’s younger. if huges/hill looks capable one of waynes or xr wont be on the squad next year.  id also be fine with shipping xr off for a first rounder. 

I see WR Stacy Coley suffered a groin strain yesterday....never good when you are fighting for a roster spot. 

@"AGRforever" said: id say if we were to trade anyone it might be a sign and trade deal on waynes only because he’s younger. if huges/hill looks capable one of waynes or xr wont be on the squad next year.  id also be fine with shipping xr off for a first rounder. 

It's very possible Waynes would draw a 1st as well. He's a former high 1st round pick who has almost justified that draft slot. And if he continues on his trajectory, he definitely will this season. One could argue that XR's value might even be lower when you consider he's two years older and the 3rd highest paid corner in the NFL. 

Why would Waynes agree to a deal with Minny just to get traded?  Why wouldn't he just opt for FA where he can decide who and where?  Besides aren't most of these contracts hard to trade in the first few years due to how they structure the signing bonuses?  To much of a cap hit type of thing?

Had another good day yesterday in one-on-one drill coverage. Not to get ahead of it, but this kid might make the final roster. What a find if so because he's physically ideal: 6'2", 200 lbs. 4.49 speed. A true outside NFL CB.

Imy thinking  they already  have  him penciled in  to make the team minus a major meltdown   no way would he stick on the practice  squad

@"Viking1987" said: Imy thinking  they already  have  him penciled in  to make the team minus a major meltdown   no way would he stick on the practice  squad

Yeah, coaches and especially opposing players don't gush about a player quite to this level unless there's really something exciting there. And if you're thinking Kyries Hebert, that was mostly a media thing.

That said, it was just 6 months ago that Hill was suspended for the rest of the year by his coach for violating team rules (meaning it was serious), and then failed a drug test at the combine (one he knew was coming), so I'm cautiously optimistic. Fingers crossed he makes it through all the post-camp partying with money to burn. On the good side, he's said to be a very smart kid. Also working in our favor is that the Vikings' research department seems to be batting very high on the character issues lately. 

I cannot imagine XR getting traded out of here, regardless of his considerable contract. Zim's head would explode. X is his guy. 

@"prairieghost" said: I cannot imagine XR getting traded out of here, regardless of his considerable contract. Zim's head would explode. X is his guy. 

so is Waynes,  maybe more so since that was Zims first corner draft pick as HC.  Rhodes was taken the year before Zim got the job.  (not saying that he doesnt love him,  just that he likely has more invested professionally in Waynes than Rhodes.)

the only reason I keep thinking Rhodes is he is a name with more stock,  and should bring more in trade compensation than Waynes who is still building his name.  It is hard to think of trading Rhodes though considering how long we went without a top level DB that could literally take a player out of the game.  (no offense to Winfield)

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"prairieghost" said: I cannot imagine XR getting traded out of here, regardless of his considerable contract. Zim's head would explode. X is his guy. 

so is Waynes,  maybe more so since that was Zims first corner draft pick as HC.  Rhodes was taken the year before Zim got the job.  (not saying that he doesnt love him,  just that he likely has more invested professionally in Waynes than Rhodes.)

the only reason I keep thinking Rhodes is he is a name with more stock,  and should bring more in trade compensation than Waynes who is still building his name.  It is hard to think of trading Rhodes though considering how long we went without a top level DB that could literally take a player out of the game.  (no offense to Winfield)