The Cincinnati Bengals picked former Michigan defender Daxton Hill with the 31st pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

According to an ESPN analyst, Mel Kipper, it should have been 10 or 15 picks earlier. He further added that this was one of the best picks in the draft so far.

After an excellent NFL Combine performance in which Hill ran a 4.38 40, one of the fastest times for a safety in years, Kiper had Hill ranked as the No. 13 prospect in his most recent draught rankings. Last season, Hill spent most of his time as a slot cornerback for the Wolverines.

“I’ve always liked Daxton Hill,” Kiper said. “Here’s a guy who did everything at Michigan. He can be slot corner, he can play center field, he tackles so well, he can get after the quarterback, he intercepts passes. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, No. 1 safety, speed to the football, everything that shows you he’s going to be ready to go. He’s perfect for the way the game is played today.”

Kipe isn’t the only one who thinks so. Hill scored a 91 on Todd McShay’s final list of best prospects (McShay’s highest-graded player, Michigan defensive end Aidtchinson, received a 94).

“He plays the safety position with a linebacker mentality and a cornerback’s body,” McShay said.

“That’s the best way I can describe him. He’s got his cornerback cover skills, and he can play in this slot and cover you one on one, probably better than any other safety in this class. He has deep range if you want to play him over the top, and he’s got good ball skills. I think he’s a great player that for some reason just keeps getting overlooked.”

Hill, a 6-1, 191-pound junior, started all 14 games for Michigan in 2021, compiling 69 tackles (4.5 for loss), two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and.5 sacks. He only gave up one touchdown and restricted opponents to an average of 4.5 yards per catch despite allowing 48 receptions on 68 targets. In the Big Ten Championship game against Iowa, he allowed one yard on one target.

“Let’s start with the instincts and the eyes, being able to get your eyes on the quarterback,” said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “He’s outstanding, too, being able to float underneath. The ball skills are outstanding—he can locate it and he can finish. And then as a blitzer, watch out. He is explosive.”

Hill finished as the No. 23 prospect on Jeremiah’s list of top draft prospects, and as the No. 18 prospect on CBSSports.com’s 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings.

The specialists aren’t the only ones who are enthralled.

“It’s a blessing,” Hill said in an interview with local12.com immediately after the selection. “It’s ironic how we could’ve won the Super Bowl last year, but my upside can be important to the team, and I feel like me coming in Day 1 can definitely show that I can do great things for the defense and for the team.”

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