The Cincinnati Bengals have struggled to strike gold in their past two draft classes as neither class has produced elite talent similar to past seasons. 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 top end of the two most recent draft classes simply haven’t impressed out of the gate.
Cincinnati Bengals Expected to Make Monster Trade With Division Rival
After the offseason additions of safeties Geno Stone and Vonn Bell, it looks like it is going to be difficult for 2022 first-round pick Dax Hill to see the field. Even though he struggled to close out his first season as a starter, the former Michigan Wolverine deserves an opportunity to prove himself but with the overpopulation of the safety position, it certainly isn’t going to be easy for him.
There has been some speculation that Hill could make the switch to corner but with established starters Cam Taylor-Britt, D.J. Turner, and Mike Hilton on the roster, it looks like that would be an even harder push to see the field. On top of that, Hill still has two years left on his rookie contract with the fifth-year option still on the table as well meaning that he isn’t going anywhere unless Cincinnati wants to essentially pay his entire contract as a dead cap penalty.
Hill certainly is a talented player since he was drafted 31st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if the oversaturated defensive backfield of Cincinnati restricts his ability to see the field for the Bengals, an intradivisional trade to Pittsburgh could be exactly what his career needs. The Steelers have major holes in the defensive secondary aside from superstar safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and Hill has the ability to be a plug-and-play defender anywhere in the defensive secondary.
The biggest struggle with this trade would be compensation: even though Hill was a first-round pick two years ago certainly doesn’t mean that Cincinnati would pull that in draft capital. At this point in his career, Hill would probably be worth a third-round selection on his potential alone and that pick could be invaluable to Cincinnati as they try to influx youth onto an aging defense. Hill has been a solid player for Cincinnati for two years but after two years without a breakout season, the organization may finally be ready to pull the plug.
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