Summary

Daxton Hill entered the NFL with a reputation as one of the most versatile and athletic defensive backs in his class. At Michigan he lined up all over the secondary — as a safety, as a slot defender, and even in the box — showing the ability to match receivers, blitz, and support the run. SI
Drafted in the first round by Cincinnati in 2022 (pick 31) , he was seen as a key building block in a modern defense that values hybrid backs who can cover, tackle, and create mismatches. His combination of speed, range, and instincts makes him a multifaceted threat. Athlon Sports

Strengths

• Elite athleticism / speed / range. Hill ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash pre-draft and posted impressive agility testing. Wolf Sports

• Versatility. He can play deep safety, slot corner, nickel defender, or align in the box; his Michigan tape shows him moving between roles fluidly. SI

• Zone coverage instincts & spatial awareness. He shows the ability to read quarterback eyes, close underneath, and cover ground quickly in zone schemes. Athlon Sports

• Run support & tackling in space. Despite being lighter than some safeties, he flows downhill quickly, makes open-field tackles, and is willing to engage in the run game. SI

• Ball skills & playmaking. On tape he shows ability to break up throws, undercut routes, and make impact plays in the secondary. Last Word On Sports

Weaknesses

• Frame / size concerns. At about 190 lbs and 6′0″, he lacks the size that some teams prefer for a true strong safety or for covering large tight ends/physical receivers.

• Man coverage & vertical match-ups. While his zone play is strong, he has shown some difficulty in staying with receivers deep, particularly in transition or when requiring long, recovery steps. Wolf Sports

• Physical length / block shedding. Some scouting reports cite that he can get caught up in traffic, may struggle against strong blockers, and isn’t as dominant in press/disengage situations as some top defenders. Last Word On Sports

• Consistency in deep safety role. Although versatile, there is some question whether his body type and experience make him ideal as a full-time single-high safety covering deep zones, rather than a hybrid slot/box role. SI

Fit & Outlook

Daxton Hill projects as a high-impact defensive back, especially in defenses that value flexibility, disguised coverages, and hybrid roles. His combination of athleticism, coverage instincts, and run support ability give him a high ceiling. For teams deploying modern defenses with sub-packages, Hill is a strong fit.

However, to reach his full potential, he will need to continue improving in man-to-man situations, refine his technique on the perimeter, and sustain durability and consistency given the physical demands of the NFL secondary. If he does, he could become a difference-maker in the back-end of a defense.