Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Dax Hill is undergoing a position change this offseason from deep safety to cornerback. Hill now finds himself entrenched in a positional battle to start at boundary corner. It's a lot to handle as the former first-rounder must navigate new surroundings while preparing for a make-or-break campaign.
The No. 31 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hill had been drafted as the eventual successor to Jessie Bates III, who had long been unhappy with the state of his contract with the Bengals. The former Michigan Wolverines defender played just 131 snaps as a rookie during the 2022 season. Predictably, Hill was promoted to starting safety when Bates departed in free agency last offseason.
Hill's first showing as an every-down player was a rollercoaster. He was a mainstay for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, playing a team-high 1,091 snaps, but the results were a mixed bag. Pro Football Focus credited Hill with allowing 32 receptions on 45 targets for a lackluster completion percentage rate of 71.1%.
Opposing quarterbacks averaged an explosive 14.3 yards per completion when targeting Hill in coverage. His passer rating allowed was 114.8 as he was credited with allowing 457 yards and four touchdowns. PFF assigned him a brutal coverage grade of 43.0.
Bengals decision-maker Duke Tobin was not satisfied. Tobin responded to Hill's struggles by signing free-agent safety Geno Stone to a two-year, $14 million contract. Stone led the AFC in interceptions last season with seven and now projects as the starter opposite Vonn Bell.
The Bengals decided to make a change after losing starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Now flushed with safety talent while sporting a newly-minted hole at cornerback, Hill surprisingly began lining up at boundary cornerback throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The early reports regarding his transition have been positive.
Dax Hill appears to be having a strong offseason at outside cornerback. Making the transition from safety to corner this year.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) June 11, 2024
Cam Taylor-Britt will serve as the primary boundary corner with Mike Hilton commanding his familiar position in the slot. Hill will compete with former 2023 second-round pick D.J. Turner for the starting gig opposite Taylor-Britt.
Hill's versatility is partially what drew the Bengals to him as a pre-draft prospect. Hill previously played cornerback at Michigan, though he primarily played nickel during his standout senior campaign. He'll have to call on that familiarity to make a seamless transition, particularly with Turner breathing down his neck. The margin for error doesn't exist.
Adding to what's at stake for Hill, the Bengals must decide on his fifth-year contract option following the conclusion of the 2024 season. That decision is currently trending toward a decline, but the versatile chess piece controls his destiny. If Hill becomes an above-average starter at boundary corner, the Bengals would likely trigger the option and may even be willing to negotiate a contract extension.
Hill is receiving a second opportunity to establish himself as a long-term building block in Anarumo's defense. The Bengals are committed to working with their former first-rounder. Hill's position change adds another layer to his now-or-never campaign as he attempts to secure a significant payday.
