The Cincinnati Bengals have plenty of different ways they could go in the defensive secondary this offseason, mostly because of former first-round pick Dax Hill.
Hill’s position in 2024 has been a point of speculation, with reporters ultimately asking defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo about it at the scouting combine.
In short, Anarumo said they’re open to anything.
“We’re still looking at everything. We look at not just Dax, but everybody last year when you have a year that wasn’t quite up to the standard. I think it’s just something you evaluate,” Anarumo said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “But nothing in particular there. Just keep working on it. He can do all of it. He’s got to be good at one thing and that’s what we’re working on now is being good at one thing. I think his development and his upside is huge. Nobody is down on the guy at all.”
Hill is incredibly versatile, so besides playing boundary corner, he might just be able to line up anywhere in the backfield. Anarumo loves three-safety sets or bringing extra defensive backs on the field, so there’s a reality where 2022 second-round pick Cam Taylor-Britt, 2023 second-round pick DJ Turner II and 2023 third-round pick Jordan Battle are all on the field with him.
If Hill lines up in the slot for Mike Hilton, though, then the roster’s safety depth might prove problematic, too.
This is sort of a good problem for the Bengals to have, though. Over the long-term, perhaps Hill ultimately takes over in Hilton’s spot. But in 2024, the Bengals have a ton of options and could add more and the secondary should improve, provided the experience gained last year helps and communication issues see a reduction.
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