Marquise Hill DE LSU 6-6.75, 300 pounds, 4.9 forty, 23 Reps Last Season: 40 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 6 sacks  24 QB Hurries.

If Worfolk is “Baby Sapp”, then I think Marquise Hill is “Baby Seymour”. When looking at Hill similarities between him and Seymour become more and more abundant. Hill is 6’ 6 ¾” 300 pounds, Ourlads in their 2001 Draft lists Seymour at 6‘ 6.5” 300 pounds. Hill ran a 4.9, while Seymour ran a 5.0 flat. “Seymour is an athletic DT with some experience at End – could project Outside.” Hill is an athletic D-End with some experience at DT. He played Right Defensive End at LSU, Seymour’s position on the Patriots currently. Seymour played DT at Georgia, he was a terrific run-stuffer and is a hard-worker who gives 100% on every play. Hill has a similar work ethic and is disruptive in the passing game, and with similar height as Seymour he also blocks passes and covers passing lanes. Seymour had 74 tackles, 10 for losses and 4 sacks his senior year. Hill made 40 tackles, 10.5 for losses with 6 sacks, and an impressive 24 QB pressures. Seymour played DT so was more of a run-stuffer, while Hill at R-DE held up fine against the run, but his main responsibly was to disrupt the passing game and harassing the opposing QB, something he was very successful at doing. The biggest difference is Seymour came back and played his senior season, and Seymour’s freakish strength. His amazing lower body power is what makes Seymour a great player. Hill is quicker and faster, but needs to get lower and bend his knees the way Seymour does, this will allow him to play stronger. Had Hill come back he could easily have been a top-ten pick and rated similarly to Seymour in the draft. Hill should step in behind Seymour and be his primary backup. If he can learn to play lower from Seymour he will be the steal of the draft. Remember Seymour’s contract is up after this season. In my opinion Seymour is the best D-Lineman in the league. So how much is that worth? At 10 million a year his contract is manageable, but at 13-15 million a year, as tragic as it sounds, the Pats may have to let him go. Matt Light and Mike Vrabel’s contracts are up as well, so they will need to be resigned as well. Is Seymour worth 15 million a season if he costs you Light and Vrabel?  If Hill develops into the next Seymour then no, otherwise next season could start the fall of the Pats Dynasty. Law will be gone, Seymour, Light, and Vrabel may be gone. Getting Wilfork and Hill may be more important signings than you think!

Belichick: "Marquise Hill is a guy that played defensive end in a system similar to the one that we use as everybody knows. He gives us depth on the defensive line. He is a tall guy with long arms. He has been disruptive in the passing game and has played at a high level of competition there in the SEC. Again, based on the fact that he has been at LSU and has been in their program and been in that system, we can evaluate and see him do a lot of things similar to what we are doing."

Marquise Hill Conf. Call Transcript - 4/24
24 Apr 04 / by New England Patriots