Zachary Hilton (1 Viewer)

[Phlash]

Zachary Hilton.

Who is this you ask?

He just so happens to be the TE of the NO Saints, and will be a top 7 TE next season. While you are probably thinking "Yeah, so was Boo Williams," I say take some of these facts into consideration.

As a rookie, he totaled 35 receptions for 396 yards. That's more receptions and yards than Antonio Gates had in his rookie season.

From weeks 1 - 7, he totaled 3 receptions for 23 yards. From weeks 9 - 17, he totaled 373 yards and 33 receptions. During this span he had games where he had 1 reception for 7 yards and 2 receptions for 13 yards. During this time he also put up games where he had 6 receptions for 72 yards, 5 receptions for 74 yards, and 7 receptions for 83 yards.

Also keep in mind that Drew Brees, Gates' former QB, is going to be the starting QB in New Orleans. With a stud on the decline (Joe Horn) and Mr. Inconsistency (Donte Stallworth) rounding out his WR corps, you can expect him to do what he did in San Diego and look for the TE and RBs often (in this case, Reggie Bush/McAllister and Zachary Hilton).

The only thing that may worry some people is the fact that he only had 1 TD in his rookie season, but keep in mind that Gates had a similiar run at the end of his rookie season and only ended up with 2 TDs himself. I wouldn't expect Zachary Hilton to push aside Gates or Gonzalez anytime soon, but in most leagues he'll probably be drafted a lot later than many guys expected to be in the top 10. Not only is he a value pick, he's a value pick which will pay off in spades.

Enjoi

 

[fridayfrenzy]

You forgot to mention that the reason his receptions went up at the end of the season is because of injuries to players around him.

 

[David Yudkin]

You're about 4 months late too joing the bandwagon. There are several other threads on sleepers and top TEs in which many have pimped Hilton.

 

[gman8343]

Gates, Gonzo, Shockey, Heap, Witten, Crumpler, Cooley, LJ Smith, McMichael.

He'll have to beat at least 3 of those guys to be top 7, not to mention Ben Watson, Ben Troupe and Jerramy Stevens.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

Gates, Gonzo, Shockey, Heap, Witten, Crumpler, Cooley, LJ Smith, McMichael.

He'll have to beat at least 3 of those guys to be top 7, not to mention Ben Watson, Ben Troupe and Jerramy Stevens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Heath Miller down ?

 

[LHUCKS]

Hilton is in a battle to make the roster...I'll reserve my top 7 for players who already have their roster spot sewn up.

 

[bagger.]

Hilton is in a battle to make the roster...I'll reserve my top 7 for players who already have their roster spot sewn up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This Hilton hype is getting ridiculous on this board.

The NO WRs will have too many receiving yards for their TE to have a big impact.

 

[Bri]

Hilton's got alot going for him in a TE loving QB and a coach that has learned offensive philosophy by two coaches coaching Shockey+Witten. Payton's O is going to throw to the TE, that's for sure.

From what I gather, everyone is "high" on Hilton so he's becoming almost risky. His ranking and stats expected of such ranking are far more than he's ever produced. Where would you guys rank him? I see 7th as thread title but anyone else? For me, he's gone from "sleeper" to "am I certain he can produce THAT much?"

 

[reg]

Hilton is in a battle to make the roster...I'll reserve my top 7 for players who already have their roster spot sewn up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This Hilton hype is getting ridiculous on this board.

The NO WRs will have too many receiving yards for their TE to have a big impact.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The hype has been going on for three years...Still waiting for it to come to fruition.

 

[Tick]

Nothing in here sounds any different than Boo Williams.

 

[David Yudkin]

Nothing in here sounds any different than Boo Williams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Other than Williams getting injured, going on IR, struggling to get on the field again, ultimately getting cut, and not getting picked up by another team, yeah, you're right. It's almost exactly the same.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Excellent stuff Phlash!

Solid!

...the avatar that is.

I like the Hilton as a late round sleeper pick though... Much like Dallas threw to Witten, New Orleans will be flingin' the pigskin to their TEs.

 

[Phlash]

Excellent stuff Phlash!

Solid!

...the avatar that is.

I like the Hilton as a late round sleeper pick though...  Much like Dallas threw to Witten, New Orleans will be flingin' the pigskin to their TEs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ROFL the only credentials on this board that I have is that the chick in my avatar is sporting double Ds and is smokin hot At least I have SOMETHING

 

[Freakny26]

first off he was not a rookie last year....................dude if you pimpin a player at least know the facts .I wont real any of you reveiws ever.

 

[-OZ-]

first off he was not a rookie last year....................dude if you pimpin a player at least  know the facts .I wont real any of you reveiws ever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

dude, if you're going to fact check, spell check.ETA: top 7 is defintely pushing it. Top 12-15, I can see.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

first off he was not a rookie last year....................dude if you pimpin a player at least  know the facts .I wont real any of you reveiws ever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"I wont real any of you reveiws ever."You sound like Grady from Sanford and Son..... spell like him too....

 

[carlosnphilly]

Nothing to see here. Good luck with your Hilton in the Top 7 with Horn + Bush + McAllister added to the equation.

Consider it a miracle if he's in the Top 15.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Excellent stuff Phlash!

Solid!

...the avatar that is.

I like the Hilton as a late round sleeper pick though...  Much like Dallas threw to Witten, New Orleans will be flingin' the pigskin to their TEs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ROFL the only credentials on this board that I have is that the chick in my avatar is sporting double Ds and is smokin hot At least I have SOMETHING

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I pretty much only clicked on this thread to see that avatar.

 

[Sanboy]

Saints homer here ..

i was pumping HILTON 2 years ago on this board as he came out of NORTH CAROLINA ..

something no one is talking about

he was a personal favorite of the old staff.. especially Haselett

HASLETT all by himself basically kept HILTON a saint .. HILTON was already to get signed off the P.S and Haslett begged management to put him on the active so they wouldnt lose him .. they did and the rest is history

he has terrible stone hands and cant block ...

but just when you give up on him he makes a nice 25 yard plus catch in the seam ......

more proof of the new staff not really carying about him .. they didnt re-up his contract until just recently .. basically they were hoping some other team would sign him and they could re-coup something .. no one tendered anything .. so they re-signed him

move along .. if your looking for a stop gag . he is your man - AND this is coming from someone who drafted him when he came out of college and finnally after 3 years got some production from him ..

but he is no top TE

 

[Sweetness_34]

Gates, Gonzo, Shockey, Heap, Witten, Crumpler, Cooley, LJ Smith, McMichael.

He'll have to beat at least 3 of those guys to be top 7, not to mention Ben Watson, Ben Troupe and Jerramy Stevens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And you missed the Indy TE (forget his name), Bubba Franks (Favre loves him at the goal line), KW II, Alex Smith (Bucs), Eric Johnson/Vernon Davis (49ers), Klopfenstein/Byrd (Rams), Marcedes Lewis (Jax) who have a chance to be solid too

 

[Family Matters]

For those who pimping Hilton, your optimism is deserved but to be tempered somewhat. For thos who don't believe it can happen, you may want to rethink your position.Look at these stats: 32-373-1. Thosae were Hilton's stats the last 8 games. Projected out over a year -64-746-2. While the TD's are low, the receptions and yards are easily top 10. The big knock on Hilton has been dropped passes. It could be a concentration issue or something easily corrected but The Saints must think he has something to offer:

Saints' TE Hilton No Longer A ProjectSheldon Mickles, The Advocate - [Full Article]From the day he arrived for his first NFL minicamp, Saints TE Zach Hilton was considered a project. At 6 feet, 8 inches and 268 pounds, the unheralded and undrafted Hilton looked more like a basketball player than a football player. Three years later, Hilton is no longer a project. Thanks to a strong second half in 2005. After not catching a pass in three games in his first two seasons, Hilton caught 35 passes for 396 yards and one score. He came on in the final eight games with 32 receptions for 373 yards after starter TE Ernie Conwell was lost for the season with a knee injury

So the potential is there and that can't be ignored because he's getting his shot this year. If it works out he'll be a hot comodity in fantasy leagues.Top 7 may be dreaming and top 10 is more likely but I won't be surprised if he does do top 7.

 

[Routilla]

This is probably the deepest TE pool I can remember heading into a season. I think I can wait until late and have just as good a chance as anyone else to land a top 5 TE. On any given week, any one of the TEs mentioned in this thread can be the #1 TE for the week. Lots of value at this position.

 

[Bri]

This is probably the deepest TE pool I can remember heading into a season.  I think I can wait until late and have just as good a chance as anyone else to land a top 5 TE.  On any given week, any one of the TEs mentioned in this thread can be the #1 TE for the week.  Lots of value at this position.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I doubt it's that late though. This, I'd guess, will be the first year we have a TE run. In the past 3-4 TEs in a row consisted of a TE run. I think you'll have to expect that heading into a draft

 

[David Yudkin]

For those who pimping Hilton, your optimism is deserved but to be tempered somewhat. For thos who don't believe it can happen, you may want to rethink your position.

Look at these stats: 32-373-1. Thosae were Hilton's stats the last 8 games. Projected out over a year -64-746-2. While the TD's are low, the receptions and yards are easily top 10. The big knock on Hilton has been dropped passes. It could be a concentration issue or something easily corrected but The Saints must think he has something to offer:

Saints' TE Hilton No Longer A Project

Sheldon Mickles, The Advocate - [Full Article]

From the day he arrived for his first NFL minicamp, Saints TE Zach Hilton was considered a project. At 6 feet, 8 inches and 268 pounds, the unheralded and undrafted Hilton looked more like a basketball player than a football player. Three years later, Hilton is no longer a project. Thanks to a strong second half in 2005. After not catching a pass in three games in his first two seasons, Hilton caught 35 passes for 396 yards and one score. He came on in the final eight games with 32 receptions for 373 yards after starter TE Ernie Conwell was lost for the season with a knee injury

So the potential is there and that can't be ignored because he's getting his shot this year. If it works out he'll be a hot comodity in fantasy leagues.Top 7 may be dreaming and top 10 is more likely but I won't be surprised if he does do top 7.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The other issue with Hilton is that he got a chance because Ernie Conwell got hurt and missed the end of the year. From what little information that is available, it appears Conwell is coming back and from what I have seen Conwell is first on the depth chart. Whether Hilton sees a lot of taime and targets is a bit up in the air.

 

[Bri]

I remember people touting David Sloan when he went to NO

 

[Family Matters]

I remember people touting David Sloan when he went to NO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not sure what that has to do with Hilton.

 

[Bri]

I remember people touting David Sloan when he went to NO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not sure what that has to do with Hilton.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For some weird reason I was thinking I can go back pretty far and recall a Saints TE as a supposed sleeper. Very odd ritual we do

 

[Tick]

Nothing in here sounds any different than Boo Williams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Other than Williams getting injured, going on IR, struggling to get on the field again, ultimately getting cut, and not getting picked up by another team, yeah, you're right. It's almost exactly the same.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you're misremembering the season following Boo's breakout. 2003:

| WK OPP | REC YD | TD |

+----------+-------------+----+

| 3 ten | 1 1 | 0 |

| 4 ind | 1 7 | 0 |

| 5 car | 1 7 | 0 |

| 6 chi | 2 21 | 0 |

| 7 atl | 4 32 | 1 |

| 8 car | 2 8 | 0 |

| 9 tam | 1 13 | 0 |

| 12 phi | 9 110 | 1 |

| 13 was | 3 43 | 1 |

| 14 tam | 4 59 | 1 |

| 15 nyg | 5 47 | 0 |

| 16 jax | 5 54 | 1 |

| 17 dal | 3 34 | 0 |

+----------+-------------+----+

| TOTAL | 41 436 | 5 |

So over the last six games (after an injury to Conwell IIRC), he put up great stats of 29 receptions, four TDs, and about 330 yards.

2004:

| WK OPP | REC YD | TD |

+----------+-------------+----+

| 1 sea | 3 13 | 0 |

| 3 ram | 3 38 | 0 |

| 4 ari | 4 41 | 0 |

| 5 tam | 2 24 | 1 |

| 7 oak | 1 8 | 0 |

| 9 sdg | 5 71 | 1 |

| 10 kan | 3 29 | 0 |

| 11 den | 3 35 | 0 |

| 12 atl | 1 14 | 0 |

| 13 car | 3 24 | 0 |

| 14 dal | 1 4 | 0 |

| 15 tam | 2 22 | 0 |

| 16 atl | 1 21 | 0 |

| 17 car | 1 18 | 0 |

+----------+-------------+----+

| TOTAL | 33 362 | 2

Totally useless for FF. There's no IR in 2004... it was the offseason between 2004 and 2005 when he got injured, but he had already proven by then that he stunk.

 

[Sidewinder]

Hilton is in a battle to make the roster...I'll reserve my top 7 for players who already have their roster spot sewn up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Huh ?? Conwell is coming off two surgeries in January, and has missed 15 games over the past 3 years. Not to mention has caught a total of 49 passes in those three years. The just cut Shad Meier and didn't draft a TE. Hilton and Mark Campbell are making the roster barring major injury.

Saints homer here ..

…

he has terrible stone hands …

You've been watching different Saint games than I have.

…

ETA: top 7 is defintely pushing it. Top 12-15, I can see.

This I agree with, outside chance at top 10, but likely in the low teens. A big target for Brees, runs good routes and has good hands, but is going to have alot of competition for touches in this offense.Edit to add: and for the original poster, who the he!! calls him Zachary (other than maybe his momma) ??

 

[Facenda's Voice]

first off he was not a rookie last year....................dude if you pimpin a player at least  know the facts .I wont real any of you reveiws ever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"I wont real any of you reveiws ever."You sound like Grady from Sanford and Son..... spell like him too....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think we should refer this to Delbert Grady.Delbert Grady: I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance.

Jack Torrance: There's nothing I look forward to with greater pleasure, Mr. Grady.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack Torrance: You WERE the caretaker here, Mr. Grady.

Delbert Grady: No sir, YOU are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker. I ought to know: I've always been here.

 

[salmonstud]

first off he was not a rookie last year....................dude if you pimpin a player at least  know the facts .I wont real any of you reveiws ever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"I wont real any of you reveiws ever."You sound like Grady from Sanford and Son..... spell like him too....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Grady from Sandford & Son?.......man.......I must be old....I actually got that joke.

 

[Family Matters]

I remember people touting David Sloan when he went to NO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not sure what that has to do with Hilton.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For some weird reason I was thinking I can go back pretty far and recall a Saints TE as a supposed sleeper. Very odd ritual we do
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK but I think you should stop doing that.Carry on.

 

[David Yudkin]

You've been watching different Saint games than I have.

People watched (or were able to watch) the Saints last year? In my neck of the woods, I think they were on once the entire season.

 

[TheFanatic]

Gates, Gonzo, Shockey, Heap, Witten, Crumpler, Cooley, LJ Smith, McMichael.

He'll have to beat at least 3 of those guys to be top 7, not to mention Ben Watson, Ben Troupe and Jerramy Stevens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And you missed the Indy TE (forget his name), Bubba Franks (Favre loves him at the goal line), KW II, Alex Smith (Bucs), Eric Johnson/Vernon Davis (49ers), Klopfenstein/Byrd (Rams), Marcedes Lewis (Jax) who have a chance to be solid too
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is the guy I was thinking about when I saw the first list. This guy is healthy and has a huge chip on his shoulder not to mention a very incentive laden contract....The TE pool is THICK this year. Saying top 7 is a huge....In years past when it was Gonzo and Sharpe or Gonzo and Gates and then everyone else being top 7 was no big deal. Not so this year....

 

[Bri]

Gates, Gonzo, Shockey, Heap, Witten, Crumpler, Cooley, LJ Smith, McMichael.

He'll have to beat at least 3 of those guys to be top 7, not to mention Ben Watson, Ben Troupe and Jerramy Stevens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And you missed the Indy TE (forget his name), Bubba Franks (Favre loves him at the goal line), KW II, Alex Smith (Bucs), Eric Johnson/Vernon Davis (49ers), Klopfenstein/Byrd (Rams), Marcedes Lewis (Jax) who have a chance to be solid too
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gotta be careful of TEs that have a quality backup for FF

 

[AB in DC]

The Saints must think he has something to offer:

Saints' TE Hilton No Longer A Project

Sheldon Mickles, The Advocate - [Full Article]

From the day he arrived for his first NFL minicamp, Saints TE Zach Hilton was considered a project. At 6 feet, 8 inches and 268 pounds, the unheralded and undrafted Hilton looked more like a basketball player than a football player. Three years later, Hilton is no longer a project. Thanks to a strong second half in 2005. After not catching a pass in three games in his first two seasons, Hilton caught 35 passes for 396 yards and one score. He came on in the final eight games with 32 receptions for 373 yards after starter TE Ernie Conwell was lost for the season with a knee injury

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Two big warning signs above. That, plus:- New coaching staff

- Possibility of Horn bouncing back

- Possibliity of Henderson developing as a target

I'm avoiding Hilton until I see something new in his favor.

 

[nightshift]

Nothing in here sounds any different than Boo Williams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly.Brees threw to the TE becuase his WRs sucked and he had the best TE in the league! :doh!:

Doesn't mean he gonna attach himself to Hilton like a safety blanket.

Payton had Shockey & Witten. Let me type that again. Payton had Shockey & Witten.

I like Hilton, but I don't think he's in the same TE tier. Maybe the next one down, maybe he ends up being Boo 2.

Sleeper? most definitely. Sure thing? far from it.

 

[FUBAR]

#7

He's the next Gates.

 

[cscmtp]

well i just traded him away in a dynasty league. I now have Shockey, KWII, and M. Lewis though.

 

[Slinger]

In larger leagues he's a great guy to have as a 3rd TE. If he pans out, great, if not, he's still just your 3rd TE.

 

[Bri]

In larger leagues he's a great guy to have as a 3rd TE.  If he pans out, great, if not, he's still just your 3rd TE.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

such a weird comment Sling. The thread topic is him 7th overall so...yeah he's a great 3rd TE

 

[-OZ-]

In larger leagues he's a great guy to have as a 3rd TE.  If he pans out, great, if not, he's still just your 3rd TE.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

such a weird comment Sling. The thread topic is him 7th overall so...yeah he's a great 3rd TE
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely you get his point. I happen to have Shockey, Troupe and Hilton, if everything breaks right, I have the #2 and two more top 10 TEs. If not,

Now, if someone offered me top 7 TE value for Hilton...

 

[diesel7982]

Hilton is in a battle to make the roster...I'll reserve my top 7 for players who already have their roster spot sewn up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I tried telling people this a couple weeks ago and nearly got laughed out of the thread.

 

[cws3030]

hilton did have a great last 6 games. regardless of who was hurt or any other circumstances. he simply made the best of his situation. which is what you want from any player.

there is a are coaches intown that have had TE's put up good #'s in their systems.

I searched for news/updates on him but the only thing i can find is that he signed a one year deal.

i would think that it is his spot to lose which he could do specially with new coaches intown.

top-7, noway

top-10, probably not

top-15, maybe

top-20, most likely

 

[diesel7982]

hilton did have a great last 6 games. regardless of who was hurt or any other circumstances.  he simply made the best of his situation.  which is what you want from any player.

there is a are coaches intown that have had TE's put up good #'s in their systems. 

I searched for news/updates on him but the only thing i can find is that he signed a one year deal. 

i would think that it is his spot to lose which he could do specially with new coaches intown.

top-7, noway

top-10, probably not

top-15, maybe

top-20, most likely

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hilton signs his 1 yr minimum RFA tender, the Saints sign Mark Campbell to a contract with starter's money, and its Hilton's job to lose?

 

[Sanboy]

AND I SAY AGAIN

Saints homer here ..

i was pumping HILTON 2 years ago on this board as he came out of NORTH CAROLINA ..

something no one is talking about

he was a personal favorite of the old staff.. especially Haselett

HASLETT all by himself basically kept HILTON a saint .. HILTON was already to get signed off the P.S and Haslett begged management to put him on the active so they wouldnt lose him .. they did and the rest is history

he has terrible stone hands and cant block ...

but just when you give up on him he makes a nice 25 yard plus catch in the seam ......

more proof of the new staff not really carying about him .. they didnt re-up his contract until just recently .. basically they were hoping some other team would sign him and they could re-coup something .. no one tendered anything .. so they re-signed him

move along .. if your looking for a stop gag . he is your man - AND this is coming from someone who drafted him when he came out of college and finnally after 3 years got some production from him ..

but he is no top TE

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

The word is obviously out on this guy, and I'm quite high on him.

Positives:

Stats in last 8 games in 2005 (32-373-1 on 47 targets)

New QB in town (Drew Brees) has a history of liking to throw over the middle, especially TEs (see Antonio Gates)
New HC Sean Payton likes to feature the TE in the offense
Not much depth in the receiving corps in NO after Horn and Stallworth
Both starting WRs have injury histories, predominantly leg injuries that linger
HUGE target at 6'8" and soft hands
Another big man conversion from basketball, like Gates and Gonzalez
Just signed, but only 1 year - contract year - something to proveNegatives:

Has not done much in his NFL career outside of the 2nd half of 2005
Numbers last year were only due to lack of other WR / TE options
Weak at run blocking - hence Mark Campbell is on the team - which could limit his snaps
Overall improvements on the roster (Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister back)
Lack of confidence in him by the Saints - signed for just one more year and drafted Marques Colston (Hofstra) as a WR to TE conversion late in the draftOverall, I believe that he is the #1 receiving TE for the Saints come September, and he will be on the field most of the time for New Orleans. While I would not extrapolate the 33-373-1 exactly, I would expect somewhere in the 60 catches, 700 yards, and 5-7 TDs for the big TE. That's great numbers for a TE. I expect that Brees still throws 24 TDs like he has the last two seasons, and either Stallworth or Horn will miss time.

I put him as a Top 12 guy, and I believe he is higher (slightly) in Dynasty.

In redrafts this year, he can be had LATE because most know little about him - unlike Sharks at FBG. Great great value after Round 11-12 in 12 team leagues that start at least 1 TE. Value increases in PPR and/or flex ability to start 2 TEs.

 

[Zigg]

Saints released Shad Meier for those worried about him making the team. This leaves just Campbell, a run blocker, and Conwell who's old and coming off an injury. Him making the team was never in question.

He's the token high reward guy who shines all offseason. He has upside considering he's 6'8 and moves very well. I figure Payton will find a way to work him into the gameplan. Top ten is far from impossible.

 

[cws3030]

i just traded m.jenkins straight up for hilton in a dynasty league

i am not sure how this is going to pan out. i think if he ends up the #1 guy and payton use him like he's used him in the past then we have something. if not, i'll probably be dropping him for the next hilton (maybe everett in BUF) halfway through the season.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

he has terrible stone hands and cant block ...

There's a ringing endorsement there.So you're basically saying he can't do any of the things a TE is expected to do?