Saints QB Taysom Hill Given TE, Flex Eligibility in ESPN Fantasy Football

Versatile New Orleans Saints offensive weapon Taysom Hill will be listed as a tight end and a flex player in ESPN fantasy football leagues for the 2020 NFL season, but he's lost quarterback eligibility.

ESPN's Mike Clay reported the update Wednesday and noted Hill could regain QB status if he becomes the Saints starter during the campaign.

The decision provides a significant boost to Hill's fantasy prospects.

He scored 102.2 points in ESPN standard PPR leagues last season. That ranked 32nd among quarterbacks and only two of his performances would have been viewed as even serviceable for a starter at the key position—15.3 points in Week 8 and 18.5 points in Week 13.

In turn, he was only rostered in 2.6 percent of ESPN leagues.

The switch to tight end, where his point total would have ranked 21st, changes the outlook.

It's a weak fantasy position at which there's more room to take a chance on a boom-or-bust player like Hill, who could provide starter-level numbers in 12-team leagues as his role continues to solidify. Most of his fantasy production came off his six receiving touchdowns and one rushing score. 

The Saints signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to serve as Drew Brees' backup next season. So, while Hill has continued to focus on eventually becoming a No. 1 QB, his main role in the short term is going to remain multifaceted.

"I know what it takes to be a good quarterback. I've had the opportunity to learn from Drew," Hill told reporters Sunday. "I think what makes a great quarterback is decision-making, accuracy, arm strength. I feel like I have all those, the capability to do all those things at a high level."

There are too many weapons in New Orleans' passing game to view Hill as a high-end fantasy tight end. His volume will vary too much on a week-to-week basis. Starter Jared Cook ranked seventh among all tight ends last year with 167.5 points (43 receptions, 705 yards, nine TDs).

That said, Hill be worth a flier for fantasy owners who miss out on the select few elite players at the position and will be using a TE committee in 2020.