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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Former Wyoming running back Brian Hill was not expecting the Atlanta Falcons to select him with the 156th overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Saturday. "This is a dream come true," an excited Hill said via phone call. "I didn't expect the Falcons. No one in the house was expecting the Falcons, but a lot of teams passed on me in this draft. The Falcons just got the best running back in this draft in the fifth round."
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Hill, who rushed for more than 4,000 yards in college, was aware that the Falcons have running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
"We know they had two good running backs and didn't think they were shopping for a running back, but I'm grateful that they were," Hill said.
He spoke to the Falcons after the selection was made.
"They told me that I had a great workout with (running backs) coach (Keith) Carter when he came to Wyoming," Hill said. "They love the way I play. I just represent what they want in a running back."
Hill believes he can fit the Falcons' outside zone rushing attack.
"We ran everything from outside zone to inside zone to power," Hill said. "We ran gap schemes and zones. Any way we would run the ball, we did it at Wyoming."
Hill is more of a power running back than Freeman and Coleman.
"My style is violent," Hill said. "I run the ball with a passion. I run the ball with a will not to go down."
Round 1/26 - Takkarist McKinley, DE, 6-4, 230, UCLA
He was a two-year starter for the Bruins after overcoming some early academic issues. He lined up at left and right defensive end in the Bruins' four-man front, standing up and putting his hand on the ground. He was a legitimate candidate for Pac-12 defensive player of the year last season with 10 sacks. "McKinley has the explosive pass rush potential to terrorize NFL quarterbacks, projecting in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes," wrote Dan Brugler in his 2017 NFL draft report.
Round 3/75 - Duke Riley, LB, 6-0, 232, Louisiana State
He was a three-star recruit coming out of John Curtis High in Bursa, La., and picked LSU over TCU and Tulane. The offer from the Tigers was a gray-shirt opportunity, but the week before signing day, LSU upgraded the offer to a full scholarship. He committed on the spot. He spent his freshman season on special teams and recorded seven tackles. Riley earned his first career start as a sophomore, but most of his playing time was on special teams, posting 20 tackles. Riley moved into the starting lineup last season and led LSU with 93 tackles, adding nine tackles for loss, two passes defended and one interception.
Round 4/136 - Sean Harlow, G, 6-4, 305, Oregon State
The San Clemente, Calif., native started 37 games for the Beavers, including 23 at left tackle and 14 at right tackle. He will be asked to play guard for the Falcons. He knows Falcons running back Terron Ward from his days at Oregon State and Falcons tight end Austin Hooper. His father Pat Harlow was the 11th overall pick in the 1991 draft and played for the Patriots and the Raiders from 1991 to 1998. He's a relentless hustle player who needs to refine his techniques for his move to guard.
Round 5/149 - Damontae Kazee, S, 5-10, 184, San Diego State
The Falcons told him that he would play some nickel back and safety in their defense. He redshirted and was a reserve in 2013. He made 13 starts in 2014 and led the team with 14 passes defended, adding 58 tackles and one interception to earn second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. He was named an All-America and Mountain West defensive player of the year in 2015, with a team-best 15 passes defended and eight interceptions. Kazee returned for his senior season and again earned All-American status and won Conference defensive player-of-the-year honors with 65 tackles, 15 passes defended and seven interceptions. His brother, Walter, played running back at San Diego State (2009-12).
Round 5/156 - Brian Hill, RB, 6-1, 219, Wyoming
He played in 38 games and made 28 starts over his career. He rushed for 4,287 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry while scoring 35 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 403 yards over his career. He was a two-year starter rushing for 135.9 yards per game as a sophomore and 132.9 yards per game as a junior. He runs well off tackle and can bounce his runs to the outside. Runs with toughness and has vision in the open field.
Round 5/174 - Eric Saubert, TE, 6-4, 252, Drake
He played in 41 games and made 37 starts during his career. He caught 190 passes for 2,253 yards and 21 touchdowns. Saubert lined up in the slot, wing and out wide in the Bulldogs' spread offense. He finished among the top FCS receiving leaders at tight end the past two seasons. He'll have to improve his blocking in order to make it in the NFL.
