Cincinnati could finally call it quits with their excellent defense.
The Cincinnati Bengals have struggled to hit gold in their last two draft classes, with neither producing outstanding talent like previous seasons. While some of this can be due to selection position (2020 first-round pick Joe Burrow was first overall and 2021 first-round pick Ja’Marr Chase was fifth overall), the top end of the two most recent draft classes has just failed to impress right away.
The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to make a monster trade with their division rival.
After the offseason additions of safeties Geno Stone and Vonn Bell, it appears that Dax Hill, a 2022 first-round pick, will struggle to see action. Despite struggling to finish his first season as a starter, the former Michigan Wolverine deserves a chance to show himself, but with the safety position overcrowded, it won’t be easy for him.
There has been some conjecture that Hill may move to cornerback, but with established starters Cam Taylor-Britt, D.J. Turner, and Mike Hilton on the roster, it appears like this would be an even more difficult push to reach the field.
Furthermore, Hill still has two years left on his rookie contract, with a fifth-year option still on the table, indicating that he isn’t going anywhere until Cincinnati is willing to pay his full contract as a dead cap penalty.
Hill is clearly a talented athlete, since he was picked 31st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if Cincinnati’s oversaturated defensive backfield limits his chances to see the field for the Bengals, a divisional trade to Pittsburgh could be just what his career needs. Aside from superstar safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers have significant voids in their defensive secondary, and Hill can play anywhere in the secondary.
The greatest issue with this trade would be compensation: just because Hill was a first-round pick two years ago doesn’t mean Cincinnati would give up that much draft money. At this point in his career, Hill is certainly worth a third-round pick based on his potential alone, and that pick may be essential to Cincinnati as they try to infuse youth into an aging defense. Hill has been a competent player for Cincinnati for two years, but after two years without a breakout season, the team may be ready to pull the plug.
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