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After working his way up the depth chart over a six-year career, cornerback Troy Hill finally became a full-time player in 2020, starting all 16 games and playing in 95-percent of the snaps. Hill parlayed that role on the NFL’s number one defense into a new contract with the Cleveland Browns, signing for four years and $24 million.
The #Browns are signing former #Rams CB Troy Hill to a 4-year, $24M deal, source said, adding to their defensive haul in free agency. The Youngstown native, who had three defensive TDs last year, returns home.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2021
The $6 million AAV is the same as what Samson Ebukam, Morgan Fox, and Gerald Everett have all signed for, but Hill got the most years. It’s the same contract length and amount that cornerback Mike Hilton signed for with the Cincinnati Bengals.
This probably will not impact LA’s compensatory picks because they’re now two over the maximum amount allowed. It does, however, mean that the Rams could sign two comparable players without losing a comp picks — if only they have the money.
Hill, 29, was an undrafted free agent out of Oregon in 2015, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals that year. He also had a brief stint on the New England Patriots before being picked up by the Rams on the final day of 2015. Hill’s previously career-high in playing time came in 2019, when he got in on 49% of the snaps for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Brandon Staley basically doubled Hill’s playing time in 2020 and he responded with 10 passes defensed and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Hill also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown, giving him three scores last year.