The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to improve on defense this offseason, and they’re going to ask a former first-round pick to switch positions in their hopes of strengthening the secondary. The Bengals were ranked 31st in total defense for the 2023 season.
The Cincinnati Bengals want to return to the playoffs
The Bengals missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020 after posting a 9-8 record. While losing quarterback Joe Burrow midseason didn’t help their playoff chances, the defense’s performance last season killed any hopes they had of returning to the Super Bowl.
Dax Hill is set to move to cornerback
One player the Bengals drafted in 2022 hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft hype for the secondary. According to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, T\the Bengals are plotting to move Dax Hill to cornerback for the upcoming season:
After an up and down season in 2023, the Bengals spent the offseason trying to figure out the best place for Hill to play. They settled on cornerback.
“We’ve seen it from him and we think it’s the best opportunity right now to help our team,” Taylor said.
Hill has struggled at safety the previous two years
The Bengals drafted Hill as a safety with the No. 31 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Michigan standout has struggled in Cincinnati. According to Pro Football Focus, Hill has posted an overall grade of 58.1 in 2022 and 50.9 in 2023.
Hill earned a coverage grade of 43.0 for the 2023 season when he gave up 32 receptions on 45 targets. He was credited with giving up four touchdowns. He created two interceptions and forced six pass breakups.
Those aren’t the type of stats the Bengals were expecting from their first-round selection. Hopefully, he’ll be a better contributor to the Bengals in the upcoming season with his new role.
