2022 NFL Draft: Grading the Bengals’ No. 31 pick of Daxton Hill

The Cincinnati Bengals select Michigan safety Daxton Hill with the 31st pick in the NFL Draft. How will Hill fit in with the Bengals?

The Cincinnati Bengals did not rest on their laurels after being within one game-winning drive by Matthew Stafford of winning the Super Bowl. It was evident that the Bengals needed offensive line help. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been beaten up his first two seasons in the NFL.

The Bengals signed offensive tackle La’el Collins from the Cowboys, offensive guard Alex Cappa from the Buccaneers, and center Ted Karras from the Patriots. Those moves allowed the Bengals the luxury of taking the best player on their board.

Cincinnati could have gone with Central Michigan offensive lineman Berhard Raimann or Minnesota tackle Daniel Faalele. However, the Bengals added to a defense that was one of the best in the NFL with Hill.

Hill is a versatile defender who can cover the slot and play the deep half. He is a poor man’s Kyle Hamilton. What the Bengals will like about Hill is that he can come in and be a slot corner if they need him to be.

How Daxton Hill fits the Bengals

Hill has natural corner cover skills. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines gave Hill a lot of responsibility defensively in his career. Much like a Minkah Fitzpatrick, Hill was the quarterback of the defense. Hill can come in and give them some slot blitz or safety blitz in addition to the cover skills.

Hill gives the Bengals depth and an additional cover defender in a league that demands you have as many defenders who can cover as possible.

Grade: B