A big season for the Michigan product.
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Dax Hill out of The University of Michigan in 2022. Many thought he was picked to be the successor for Jessie Bates III, who was playing on a franchise tag in the 2022 season and wasn’t expected to return.
When Bates eventually moved on to the Atlanta Falcons, Hill took his spot in the free safety role. Hill struggled in deep coverage essentially all of last season but did show some flashes when playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Hill’s struggles in coverage were almost certainly a factor in the Bengals’ decision to sign Geno Stone away from the Baltimore Ravens.
Now with Stone set to start at free safety and Vonn Bell expected to compete with Jordan Battle for the strong safety spot, Hill finds himself working at cornerback during the Bengals’ offseason program.
2024 will be Hill’s third season in the NFL, and as a former first round pick, that means the Bengals will decide whether or not to pick up Hill’s fifth-year option.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame predicts that the Bengals will decline Hill’s option, allowing him to be an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 campaign.
“Hill was seen to be a versatile chess piece for Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo when taken out of Michigan,” Verderame said. “And last year, he played almost every defensive snap as a safety before being moved to corner with Geno Stone and Vonn Bell being signed in free agency. If Hill thrives in his new role, it could entice the Bengals to keep him long-term.”
Some have speculated that the Bengals’ plan may be to groom Hill to take the slot corner position when Mike Hilton’s contract ends after this coming season, but what does that mean for him this year? A big season looms for Hill, and his future in Cincinnati could be decided a year before his rookie contract ends.
