Analysts assign grades for Cincinnati Bengals picking Michigan DB Daxton Hill

Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill was the program’s second first round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, coming off the board at No. 31 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. The move allows him to join a Super Bowl contender as a versatile chess piece on the back of the defense.

Coming into the draft, most pundits had Hill with a 1st-2nd round grade. The Bengals drew mostly high marks for pulling the trigger on the do-it-all defensive back out of Michigan.

Here’s a look at analysts and how they graded the Bengals for drafting the former Michigan star:

Chris Roling, Bengals Wire: B

“From the long-term perspective, there’s always the chance Daxton Hill ends up easing the loss of Jessie Bates, should he not re-up on a long-term deal,” Roling wrote. “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.”

Dante Pryor, FanSided: B

“Hill has natural corner cover skills. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines gave Hill a lot of responsibility defensively in his career,” Pryor said. “Much like a Minkah Fitzpatrick, Hill was the quarterback of the defense. Hill can come in and give them some slot blitz or safety blitz in addition to the cover skills.

“Hill gives the Bengals depth and an additional cover defender in a league that demands you have as many defenders who can cover as possible.”

Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network: B+

“The Bengals stuck with the trend of unpredictability in the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill with the 31st overall pick,” Mellor wrote. “Hill adds to an improving secondary, and the appeal with the Wolverines defender is that he can play just about anywhere you need him to.

“Standing at 6’0”, 191 pounds, with 32 1/4” arms, Hill has good size. He’s also incredibly versatile. With a combination of elite explosiveness and fluidity, he can play in the slot, in two-high, or even shade out to the boundary. And he has enough range to fill in at single-high on occasion. Hill’s fit is a bit questionable. He played the slot a lot at Michigan, but Mike Hilton plays that role for Cincinnati. Jessie Bates III is also still around for the time being. But if he leaves in 2023, Hill can file right in. And in the meantime, he’s a dynamic playmaker who can play legitimately anywhere.”

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A

“Hill can play anywhere in the secondary,” Reuter said. “If Jessie Bates, who received the franchise tag this offseason, eventually moves on as a free agent, Hill could end up filling the void at safety full time. With the Ravens taking Tyler Linderbaum, who would have been a nice fit in Cincinnati, off the board six picks earlier, Hill was a sensible pick.”

Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports: A-

“Love this fit,” Edholm wrote. ” Daxton Hill can cover the slot and even be tried outside if the Bengals want. They addressed the offensive line in free agency, so the next logical spot was the secondary. Hill might be listed as a safety, but he can line up at multiple spots — in the box, deep or as the nickel. Excellent value here.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B-

“They have contract issues with their safeties coming up, so this is a good pick,” he said. “He also has the skill to play corner, which they also could use in terms of coverage help. He’s a versatile player, which they love. To beat the Chiefs and the Bills and the AFC West, you better cover.”

Sheil Kapadia, The Athletic: A

“The word versatility gets thrown around too much this time of year, but it applies to Hill (6 feet, 191),” Kapadia said. “In 33 games for Michigan, he played both as a slot corner and a split-field safety. Hill had excellent ball production last year with 11 passes defended and two interceptions in 14 starts. He ran a 4.38 at the combine.

“Hill checks so many boxes. He’s rangy, explosive, competitive, versatile and durable. This feels like a “best player available” pick for the Bengals. I love Hill’s fit in Cincinnati. He should contribute immediately and has the upside to be a cornerstone of that defense for years to come.”

James Dator, SB Nation: A

“Hill is a really solid player who represents the best available on the board at this point,” he wrote. “Safety might not be the biggest need for the Bengals’ secondary, he’s really a hybrid who can match up in the nickel in coverage. I like taking Hill over reaching for a CB with a lower grade. This is another smart move in a serious of good moves by the Bengals.”