Dax Hill embracing position change

Ready for the challenge.

Two years ago, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Dax Hill out of the University of Michigan with the 31st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. With Jessie Bates III playing on a franchise tag and the chances of him returning looking slim, Hill was going to be looked at to replace Bates last season.

For the 2023 season, Hill was the primary free safety, and it was a very up-and-down season. In fact, the Bengals felt Hill wasn’t the answer enough to sign Geno Stone in free agency this past March.

With Stone set to start at free safety, with Vonn Bell and Jordan Battle battling to start at strong safety, Hill was always potentially looking at a position change.

Coaches have confirmed that Hill is moving to cornerback.

Typically, a safety doesn’t transition to corner, but Hill has a lot of experience at cornerback from his time at Michigan.

“I’m gonna have to,” Hill said when asked about changing positions. ”I have no choice, but that’s something I’ve done before, so I’m pretty confident in myself.”

In college, Hill specifically played a lot of slot corner, playing more than 700 snaps in the slot. With Mike Hilton entering the last year of his contract, the Bengals could look to groom Hill as his replacement.

Hill seems ready to make the switch, citing how much he loves playing in coverage.

“I love covering,” Hill said. “That’s something I’ve always done pretty well in college. So I’m kind of just glad that I’m back in that same similar role and just looking forward to competing.”

Obviously, he has spent the first two years of his career at safety and despite not playing much as a rookie, it is the only position he has practiced at in the NFL.

Hill knows the difference, but it appears he knows what he needs to do to be prepared.

When asked about the biggest difference between the two positions, Hill said, “Just the technique. For the most part, it’s kind of similar. Covering different types of bodies, but at the same time, I’m still covering, you know, quality people. It’s different but going to be some running there, but I feel like that’s something I’m able to do.”

The defensive back room will look different in Cincinnati for the 2024 season, hopefully for the better.