Going into the 2025 NFL draft and spring activities for the Cincinnati Bengals, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that former first-round pick Dax Hill would start at an inside cornerback slot in 2025.
Hints at such from those around the Bengals played a part in this perception, too, as Hill seemed slated for yet another position change after initially arriving in Cincinnati as the hoped-for replacement for Jessie Bates at safety.
But now things have seemed to trend in the other direction while Bengals brass met with the media at the start of spring work on Monday.
According to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the apparent plan is for second-year cornerback Josh Newton to take over the nickel spot in place of free agent Mike Hilton.
This would apparently mean Hill stays at a boundary cornerback spot and competes with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner for a starting role.
Based on Hill's solid play there as it appeared he was just starting to get comfortable (and CTB's struggles), this makes some sense, as opposed to putting him through yet another position change. But it could also hint at possible draft plans as they would now seem more likely to target versatile secondary players who can blend slot corner and safety spots in certain packages.
Either way, Hill remains in the running for a very prominent role in the defense in 2025.
