Report: Stephen Hill not a lock to make New York Jets roster

The New York Jets drafted Stephen Hill with the No. 43 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. With the physical traits of a solid NFL receiver, expectations were high for Hill.

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However, two disappointing seasons later, Hill might not make it to a third with the Jets, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.

"No doubt, the most compelling player is wide receiver Stephen Hill, who doesn’t have a roster spot locked up. Hill, David Nelson, Greg Salas, Clyde Gates and Jacoby Ford are battling for the third through sixth spots at receiver. Based on performance, Nelson and Salas should be the third and fourth wideouts. Gates and Ford are kickoff returners, which helps their cause. If Hill isn’t in the receiver rotation, he has little value to the Jets because he doesn’t play special teams. But are the Jets willing to cut bait with Hill, a former second-round pick? There’s also Jalen Saunders, whose medical situation complicates the issue."

Hill caught just 24 passes for 342 yards this past season, but as Cimini notes, it would likely be difficult for New York to release a guy they used a high-draft pick on so early into his career.

Perhaps also boding well for Hill’s chances of making the team are recent comments from Rex Ryan that suggest the Jets coach believes Hill is capable of a bounce back year in 2014.

Ryan to the New York Post on August 1:

"Well, I feel good because I think he is healthy. He seems to be healthy. That was a big part of it last year, when we all noticed. We tried to throw six balls to him (but) he couldn’t escape anybody. It was more he could go straight line. That was it. He couldn’t cut. But right now, he’s healthy. Hopefully, that’s all behind him."

Hill has 45 career catches for 594 yards.

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