New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton has praised tight end Josh Hill, and believes that he will be able to fill the gap left by Jimmy Graham.

The Saints traded Graham to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month, and the move created a lot of anger from the fans.

However, Payton talked up Hill's potential and believes that he will step up as he has a real opportunity at the organisation.

"Josh Hill, you look at a 38-inch vertical jump, he's an 11 broad [jump], three-cone, whatever. And the comparables to the top tight ends in the draft a year ago, I said, 'In every category this guy's better,'" ESPN quotes Payton as saying.

Hill is an undrafted free agent out of Idaho State who joined the roster in 2013, and had 14 receptions for 176 yards and five touchdowns last season.