This year’s Bengals training camp pitted two former Michigan teammates against each other for a starting job. Despite Dax Hill changing positions this offseason, he won the matchup.
The Bengals moved Hill from safety to cornerback, and a competition with DJ Turner formed. Although Turner started 12 games as a rookie, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. notes that Hill will open the season as Cincinnati’s starting outside corner opposite Cam Taylor-Britt (subscription required).
Moved to corner to start the offseason program, Hill fared well at a position he also saw time at while with the Wolverines. The 2022 first-round pick and Turner, a 2023 second-rounder, each saw time in Jim Harbaugh‘s secondaries from 2019-21. Hill has also been moved around at the pro level, playing both safety and in the slot. He appears to have found a home — for the time being, at least — on the perimeter.
After starting just two games as a rookie, the former No. 31 overall pick worked as a 17-game starter in 2023. This produced 110 tackles but poor coverage metrics; Pro Football Focus rated Hill as the sixth-worst safety regular last season. The Bengals also changed their safety equation this offseason, bringing back Vonn Bell and signing ex-Raven Geno Stone.
Lou Anarumo‘s secondary will feature experience on the backend and youth on the boundary, with Taylor-Britt only going into his third season. Chidobe Awuzie left in free agency, but rather than Turner stepping in, a somewhat unexpected conclusion took shape. Turner will step into the team’s top backup role. Mike Hilton remains on the roster as a veteran presence, supplying considerable seasoning in the slot.
Additionally, Dehner continues to name Samaje Perine as a reunion candidate. The prospect of the Bengals bringing back their former backup/passing-down back surfaced this offseason, and Perine is not a lock to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. As a vested veteran, Perine would pass straight to free agency if released, but the Bengals could also ensure they end up with the ex-Joe Mixon backup by trading for him.
Perine is tied to a $2.83M salary this season, and he played a key role as a Russell Wilson outlet option during the Broncos’ five-game win streak last year. But Denver may end up keeping only three backs. Javonte Williams, who may have been battling Perine for a roster spot, has solidified himself as Denver’s starter. The team has shifty rotational piece Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round rookie Audric Estime in line to make the initial 53.
Cincy traded Mixon to Houston for a seventh-round pick and added Zack Moss as a lower-cost replacement. The team will carry 2023 fifth-rounder Chase Brown, with Trayveon Williams still in place as a third-stringer. The Bengals, however, recently lost fourth-year RB Chris Evans to a season-ending patellar tendon tear. Brown should be expected to start over Moss, per Dehner, despite the team giving the recent Colts spot starter a two-year, $8M deal.
Even if Perine does not return to Ohio, Dehner names running back as the position the Bengals will likely try to upgrade in the coming days. Teams have until 3 p.m. CT Tuesday to set their initial 53-man rosters.
