Heading into the 2022 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals’ biggest need was in the secondary, and they solved it with one of the most versatile defenders in the entire class.
The defending AFC champs spent the No. 31 overall pick on Michigan’s Dax Hill, who should be a perfect fit in the varied Lou Anarumo defense.
Hill is a uniquely versatile defensive back who played mostly at safety for the Wolverines, but possess the athleticism, quickness, and coverage skills to play the nickel spot at a high level. He has impressive range and change-of-direction ability, shadowing pass-catchers on underneath routes, and keeping up with receivers both inside and out, with fluid hips that can track and explode with those routes.
He’ll likely play the nickelback role for the Bengals right away, and move around to wherever his defense asks him. He will add to a secondary that turned their game up late last year, and add unique versatility that wasn’t previously present on the roster.
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