On the heels of the announcement that he’ll be suspended for the first six games of the 2014 season, Will Hill has been waived by the Giants, the club announced today in a press release. Several reports, including one from Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News last week, suggested that Hill’s stint with the Giants would likely come to an end after his latest transgression.
Hill, 24, started 10 of the 12 games he appeared in for the Giants last season, and played well, compiling 77 tackles and creating a handful of turnovers (two INTs, two forced fumbles, one recovery). Pro Football Focus’ grades ranked Hill as the league’s second-best safety in 2013, behind only Devin McCourty (subscription required), but off-field issues and character red flags have always loomed over his on-field performance.
The latest suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy is Hill’s third, and while it prompted the Giants to cut ties with him, that doesn’t mean another team won’t take a flier. Even though Hill won’t be eligible to appear in more than 10 regular-season games in 2014, his minimum salary contract ($570K) is affordable, and wouldn’t come with any long-term risk. We should find out within the next 24-48 hours whether or not Hill passes through waivers and becomes an unrestricted free agent.