It’s been a turbulent start to Dax Hill‘s NFL career, to say the least. The Cincinnati Bengals’ cornerback is poised for a pivotal bounce-back season in 2025, and the experts are looking to him to be worth the fifth-year option the team picked up (for the 2026 season, of course). The former first-round pick out of Michigan has endured positional changes, a high-profile injury, and questions about his long-term fit, but the Bengals evidently believe in his talent and resilience.
ESPN’s Ben Solak pointed to the athletic, versatile safety-turned-cornerback in his piece that highlights 100 things for the upcoming season. Under the section focusing on players returning from IR, Solak expects Hill to finally play to his lofty draft capital:
“Very interesting one here. The Bengals picked up Hill’s fifth-year option off his ACL injury — $12.7 million, all guaranteed — without clarity on how Hill will be used in new defensive coordinator Al Golden’s defense. Hill has started the majority of his career at safety but wasn’t great there. It appeared he could have transitioned well to corner in 2024, but he played only five games and was still working through the warts. There’s smoke now that he might be the new nickelback since Mike Hilton remains unsigned. Where exactly Hill plays and what the Bengals get out of him there are big question marks for a defense in need of splashy players.”
All Eyes on a Bengals First-Round Pick to Bounce Back
A Career of Adaptation
Hill’s journey in Cincinnati has been defined by adaptability. Drafted 31st overall in 2022, he began as a safety — expected to fill the void left by Jessie Bates —but was shifted to cornerback entering the 2024 season. This transition was not just a change in title; it required a complete overhaul of technique and responsibilities. Despite the challenge, Hill quickly established himself as a starter opposite Cam Taylor-Britt and was lauded for his consistency and playmaking ability in the early part of the 2024 campaign.
Just as Hill was finding his stride at cornerback — and he was legitimately playing well — his season was derailed by a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. The injury was a significant blow, not only to Hill but to a Bengals secondary that was already thin due to other injuries. Hill had recorded 25 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups in just five games before his injury, signaling a breakout before adversity struck.
Six months post-surgery, Hill has been ahead of schedule in his rehab, already running and performing lateral movements with an eye toward full clearance for training camp. The Bengals’ faith in his recovery and upside was cemented when they picked up his fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through 2026 and signaling a clear commitment to his future in Cincinnati.
Versatility and Value
Hill’s versatility is one of his greatest assets. With veteran slot corner Mike Hilton departing in free agency, there is speculation that Hill could move inside to nickel—a role he excelled in during his college days at Michigan. Whether he remains on the boundary or shifts to the slot, Hill’s adaptability gives new defensive coordinator Al Golden valuable flexibility as he reshapes the defense.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has expressed unwavering confidence in Hill’s trajectory, calling him “an ascending player who attacks each day the right way” and emphasizing his excitement to see Hill back making plays in 2025.
The 2025 season represents a crucial opportunity for Hill to solidify his place as a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense. With a retooled secondary and a new coordinator, Hill’s blend of athleticism, intelligence, and experience at multiple positions could make him the linchpin of a unit aiming to return to top form.
If Dax Hill can recapture his pre-injury level of play — and perhaps even exceed it — he will not only justify the Bengals’ faith but also set himself up for a long-term future as one of the NFL’s most versatile and impactful defensive backs. The stage is set for a true bounce-back season in Cincinnati.
