Why a position change will save former Michigan Wolverines first-round pick from draft bust status

Sometimes, life in the NFL isn't as easy as it seemed. Despite being an elite athlete and playmaker at Michigan, Dax Hill's transition to the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals was slow. Drafted as a safety with experience at both defensive back spots, Hill is now thriving in the early stages of moving to cornerback.

That comfort showed in the Bengals' preseason Week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers. Wolverines fans remember Hill fondly, as he totaled 151 tackles, four interceptions, and 16 pass breakups over three seasons.

This offseason, the Bengals have opted to switch Hill's position from safety, a role in which he started 17 games in 2023 but experienced some difficulties, to outside cornerback. He will now vie for the prime starting position. Hill admitted that the initial practices felt somewhat unfamiliar but said he started hitting his stride as the Bengals concluded their summer sessions.

"It's been good," Hill said, per Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News. "I feel like obviously it was a transition, one I'm going to have to make but I feel comfortable. I trust the coaches. They've been preparing me well. Right now, just with OTAs, there's only certain things we can do right now, but they've been getting me prepared."

During mandatory minicamp, Hill was observed playing with the first-team defense, surpassing DJ Turner II, a second-round pick in 2023. Hill's agility and multifaceted skills may set him apart. In his college years at Michigan, he took on roles as both a safety and a cornerback, though most of his experience as a corner was in the slot position rather than on the outside.

This video shows off Hill's comfort at corner, which is where I originally projected him as a draft prospect.

The Bengals made moves this offseason by re-signing Vonn Bell and acquiring Geno Stone, which resulted in Hill losing his starting position as a safety.

The team will be looking to see if he can surpass Turner for the primary cornerback position. This competition is one of the key battles to watch as the Cincinnati team prepares for a Super Bowl push. Cam Taylor-Britt already has the left cornerback spot down, and Mike Hilton is cemented in the slot.

Hill has the athleticism advantage over fifth-round rookie Josh Newton. Newton was good at TCU but not someone who was a hands-down star coming into the NFL. Hill looked far more fluid with a high upside in limited snaps last week, and we're excited to monitor what's next for him.