While some of that can be attributed to draft position (2020 first-round pick Joe Burrow was first overall, and 2021 first-round pick Ja’Marr Chase was fifth overall), the Cincinnati Bengals have struggled to strike gold in their last two draft classes as neither class has produced elite talent similar to past seasons. These players haven’t impressed right out of the gate.
Dax Hill, the 2022 first-round selection, may have trouble seeing the field with the offseason signings of safeties Vonn Bell and Geno Stone. The former Michigan Wolverine deserves a chance to establish himself, despite his difficult final stretch of his rookie campaign. However, with the abundance of safety players, it won’t be an easy one.
There has been some conjecture that Hill would go to cornerback, but it appears that it would be much more difficult to see the field with Mike Hilton, D.J. Turner, and Cam Taylor-Britt as reliable starters. In addition, Hill has two years remaining on his rookie contract and a fifth-year option that is still available, so unless Cincinnati wants to pay his whole contract as a dead cap penalty, he won’t be leaving.
Given that he was selected 31st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hill is undoubtedly a talented player. If Cincinnati’s overabundance of defensive backs limits his opportunities to see the field, an intra-divisional trade to Pittsburgh might be just what his career needs. Other than superstar safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers have serious weaknesses in their defensive secondary, despite Hill’s versatility as a plug-and-play defender in any spot of the defensive secondary.
The largest issue with this trade would be compensation; Cincinnati wouldn’t necessarily acquire that much in draft capital, even though Hill was a first-round selection two years ago. Given his current status and potential, Hill would likely be worth a third-round selection at this point in his career. Cincinnati may find great value in that pick as they look to add freshness to an ageing defence. Hill has been a reliable player for Cincinnati for the past two seasons, but the team might be prepared to let him go after two seasons without a standout performance.
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