Seahawks: Bold Predictions for Each 2017 Draftee
By Ben Renner
Delano Hill sees regular sub package action as early as Week Three
Strong safety and former Michigan Wolverine (not the only former Harbaugh player in this year’s Seahawks draft crop, which is odd) Delano Hill figures to be a backup safety who can play nickel his rookie year. He won’t beat out Kam Chancellor for a starting job this year. Even I’m not that bold in my predictions, but he could see the field as a fourth safety and sub package specialist.
The Seahawks signed Bradley McDougald away from Tampa Bay for more support at safety, and to give a 4-2-5 defensive alignment a try. Hill could be lost in the shuffle in Training Camp and possibly in Preseason, when Richard and his staff will be putting him all over the field like a chess piece, testing the young safety and seeing where he’s most effective.
But after the season starts, the pressure to show out relents a bit. Hill makes the team despite not necessarily shining in Training Camp and Preseason. He doesn’t have to prove he belongs anymore, he just has to ball. And ball he does in practice leading into the Seahawks Week Three clash with Marcus Mariota and the Titans. The team’s feeling good after shocking the Packers in Week One and crushing the 49ers in Week Two–and then Hill starts to clamp down.
He earns playing time perhaps as a run-support safety in a few sub packages and makes a difference, earning a place in the defensive backfield rotation.