Entering the 2022 NFL draft’s first round, the Cincinnati Bengals needed to find a clever way to find immediate production with the 31st pick, but also stellar long-term potential. All that, while doing the usual of finding good value, weighing need and team-specific things like character, etc.
And they did all of that with Michigan safety Daxton Hill.
Not much of an exaggeration there, either. Hill isn’t necessarily the biggest prospect, but his elite athleticism scores match up well with film that has him flying all over the field and making plays with good production.
We’re talking sub-4.40 speed with big production numbers like eight passes defended last year. We’re also talking about the ability to play in the slot and at either safety spot.
This goes beyond simple insurance policy status on the chance other starters suffer injuries, too. The coaches really like three-safety sets and Hill is a solid upgrade on Ricardo Allen from last year. He can work in either spot, too. And frankly, he’s got the athleticism to go play boundary corner, taking Eli Apple off the field, too.
From the long-term perspective, there’s always the chance Hill ends up easing the loss of Jessie Bates, should he not re-up on a long-term deal, too. They complement each other really well on the field so that’s not ideal, but it’s just another thing the pick accomplishes.
With Hill, it’s just a whole lot of checking boxes. Elite athlete. Good production and film. Presumably, based on the pick, just fine background for the locker room. Short-term outlook. Long-term outlook. Need and value based on the board.
Pretty much any way sliced, it’s really hard to complain about the pick. If it had happened in the top 15? Maybe. But Hill improves a Super Bowl roster and could be a long-term starter, too.
Grade: B
