A Position Group Conversation: Cornerbacks.

[-GoBengals-]

I intend to post a group semi-regularly to discuss now and into the offseason perhaps, if people care enough to do deep dives into these groups, the players, their contracts, potential upgrades via draft or free agency, etc.

 

If no one, cares, perhaps ill do it for my own entertainment.

 

Cornerbacks:

Cam Taylor Britt

Dax Hill

DJ Turner

Mike Hilton

Dj Ivey

Josh Newton

 

 

Cam Taylor Britt

Age: 25

Signed through: End of 2025 Season

Contract: 1 year remaining, Cap Hit: $1.9mil, Dead money: $300k if cut.

 

Thoughts: Cam has shown signs of really good play, and signs of disastrous play. Lou and teammates have made comments about both effort when he didnt think the play would come his way, taking too many risks to make a big play (seemingly jumping routes then getting beat deep) and also lack of consistency in the basics of the role on all plays. The complaints no one makes is that he isnt talented enough. If its not a lack of talent is it possible to salvage his career here? I think its clear he cannot be relied upon as a #1 corner, looking around the DB room, is Dax Hill the bengals best shot at a real #1 corner? If CTB is to be kept, is it a move of Dax to #1 or are you required to add high end talent via the Draft (top 2 rounds) or free ageny (spending 6-8mil/yr on a replacement). Obviously the bengals hoped he would continue to grow after a promising 2023 season, but that hasnt been the case, so whats best for the team in regards to CTB's role moving forward? Could he be one of the best #2 corners in the league? an averge depth guy? is there some hope he gets back in form and improves to be a true #1? even if the last part is a possibility, im not sure you can hedge your season on defense on that being the case.

 

 

Dax Hill

Age: 25

Signed through end of 2025 season with a club option for the 2026 season

Contract: with the club option for 2026, Dax cap hit is $3.8 mil for 2025, the club option would be a large increase, i think around $8-10mil(not verified)

 

Thoughts: Dax has had an odd path, 2 wasted seasons at safety, the convert to corner, and now an injury, one that will likely set him back even in the start of the 2025 season, he will be well healed by then however its incredibly rare for a DB to have a knee injury and come back and be effective early in the season, whether its getting into game shape, knocking the dust off, whatever the case, i wouldnt count on him to be a top performer early in 2025. His college coach stated he thinks he should be an outside cover corner, the bengals drafted him knowing his versatility, but hoped he could replace jessie bates, with that project out the window, the injury, and his contract running out, its likely the bengals exercise his 5th year option in hope to salvage the pick that if a failure would be one of the bigger busts in recent team history. I think you can count on him having a secured starting role in the defensive backfield in 2025, but that just makes it that much more important what decisions you make in regard to CTB's role and possible offseason additions. If Hill can play into form in 2025 and is lookin to be a keeper, I would expect the team to try to give him a 2-3 year extension going into that 5th year option season to lock him in at a reasonable rate.

 

Mike Hilton

Age: 30 (will be 31 in 3 months)

Free agent after the 2024 season

Contract: ends this season, cost is $7 million a season

 

Thoughts: Mike has been vital to the bengals success of the last 3-4 seasons, With his age crossing the 31 mark, and his cost having been high, I cant imagine the bengals are in a place to offer him a long term deal, or any deal, with significant cash involved. I think the team would be interested in giving him a 1 year deal or a 2 year deal with a team option on the second year OR no dead money hit so they can walk away (see sheldon rankins) if it doesnt pan out. Its going to boil down to if Mike wants to chase the last dollars of his career and max them out or i he wants to continue to play in cincinnati for a possible contender, my guess is he is forced to chase cash, with career earnings at 28 million, if he can grab 15 more million on the market he would likely choose to do so. Sadly i think this season spells the end for Hiltons tenure in Cincinnati. Whether they address the hole in slot corner with someone on the roster, free agency, or the draft, unless he wants the elderly (for an nfl player) hometeam discount deal, he isnt likely to find greener pastures elsewhere. Dax was discussed as being a slot corner at once point, teammates mentioned his size and ability to cover opposing tight ends, if you draft a top corner, you can slide CTB and Dax down to #2 and Slot roles and potentially have one of the better secondaries the team has had in the last 5-10 years.

 

DJ Tuner

Age: 24 - will still be 24 when next season starts.

Signed through 2026 season

Contract: Salary maxes out at 1.9mil in that 2026 season. a non factor against the cap

 

Thoughts: Dj Turner has expanded his role via injuries and decent play on the field, he isnt likely going anywhere, and his injury isnt one that should effect his performance to start the season in 2025. Im not sure he is a starting caliber corner, if he is the worst of your playing CB's youre in a good spot, if he is a starter being counted on, youre not in a great place. Can he fill the slot CB role if/when Hilton departs? very possible. 

 

 

Dj Ivey

Age: 24 will be 25 at the start of next season

Contract: signed through 2026 season, contracts maxes around 1.2 mil a year, a non factor on the cap.

 

Thoughts: Ivey has had injuries, and is an iffy player, he feels like a special teams guy who can fill in in a pinch. His physical attributes are impressive, but that has translated to much playing time, that could change, but with the shambles the room has been in, and his own injuries, its not looking great. Depending how the team decides to add talent in the offseason to the CB room, Iveys position on the roster isnt set in stone, but he isnt going to be the first guy cut if it comes to making room for a draft pick or free agent. If Hilton leaves in free agency and only a draft pick or FA is added, the whole room is probably safe.

 

Josh Newton

Age: 24

Contract: signed through 2027 salary maxes out at 1.3 mil. a non factor on the cap

 

Thoughts: Newton is a smart player, and has made some decent plays when he had the opportunity lately, He borders on the skill level needed to secure a starting role on the NFL, once eliminated mathematically, the bengals may be wise to explore his ceiling through heavy snaps to finish the year, hell they may not have a choice, the way CTB keeps getting planted on the bench, Newton seems like a great guy to have on the depth chart and on teams, and the team has several years to see how valuable he really can be.

 

 

 

Final thoughts: If Hilton stays, the bengals need to address the #1 corner spot, if Hilton leaves, the bengals need to address the #1 corner spot. Honestly the departure of Hilton would be an emotional blow, but if adding talent at the top of the depth chart, there are multiple players able to slide into the slot and take over, you lose the wisdom and playmaking attributes specific to Hilton, but moving that spend from the slot to the #1 corner spot is a wise investment or redistribution. Keeping in mine the bengals intended to have a high performing Awuzie, Hilton, Hill at Safety, a performing and improving CTB, a room tattered with youth and talent mix, its safe to say the plan has grumbled before thier eyes in a way no one could have predicted. Back to the drawing board, and maybe determined by best player available, the Bengals have to consider how much draft capital or cash capital to throw at the CB problem that has plagued them in the 2024 season.

[T-Dub]

2 hours ago, GoBengals said:

im not sure you can hedge your season on defense on that being the case.

 

 

 

 

 

I'd say hedging seasons on best case scenarios is generally how they operate.  Browning would be an exception but their contingency plans are usually untested rookies or marginal career back-ups.  Imagine if Mims wasn't ready to take over immediately after Trent Brown's annual season ending injury.  Jenkins is starting to show up but DL depth is still losing them games in the meantime.  They hope for the best but are woefully unprepared for the worst.

[Le Tigre]

I don’t care if Mike Hilton is 51…he is also the glue that holds this motley backfield bunch somewhat together. Keep him here. 

[|High School Harry|]

Fresh meat... 

With two of their two cornerbacks now lost for the year, the Cincinnati Bengals looked to the waiver wire for help ahead of Week 12.

There, the Bengals claimed Marco Wilson after his release by the New England Patriots, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Wilson, a fourth-round pick in 2021 by the Arizona Cardinals, joined the Patriots on waivers in December of 2023. He’s played in 54 career games with three interceptions.

The Bengals are desperate for help at corner after finding out DJ Turner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12. Dax Hill suffered a season-ending injury earlier this season and the last remaining starter, Cam Taylor-Britt, has been massively struggling.

With the Bengals on bye, Wilson has a week to get into the system and provide some important depth.

[|SF2|]

56 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

I'd say hedging seasons on best case scenarios is generally how they operate.  Browning would be an exception but their contingency plans are usually untested rookies or marginal career back-ups.  Imagine if Mims wasn't ready to take over immediately after Trent Brown's annual season ending injury.  Jenkins is starting to show up but DL depth is still losing them games in the meantime.  They hope for the best but are woefully unprepared for the worst.

To be fair, no team is really prepared for the worst at the position.  The difference between a good cornerback and a backup around the league is pretty dramatic.  
 

Add to the equation a defensive line that just isn’t getting much pressure on the opposing QB and it is a recipe for disaster and hard to gameplan for. 
 

 

[T-Dub]

2 minutes ago, SF2 said:

To be fair, no team is really prepared for the worst at the position.  The difference between a good cornerback and a backup around the league is pretty dramatic.  
 

 

 

Right, but now they know he's struggling and what his limitations are..  so do they bring him back as CB1 anyway?  Likewise McPherson, ditto Cappa, & so on..

[MichaelWeston]

Newton will have 7 games to determine if he can start in 2025. 

 

Hilton is fine on early downs because he is a great run stopper and blitzer, he's tough in passing situations. I'm not sure you can find a role on this team with that

 

The position is a mess but loaded with talent. I wouldn't be surprised if CTB bounced back, if Hill became a high end starter or if Newton or Turner solidified themselves there. It's loaded with talent and questions 

[-GoBengals-]

1 hour ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

I'd say hedging seasons on best case scenarios is generally how they operate.  Browning would be an exception but their contingency plans are usually untested rookies or marginal career back-ups.  Imagine if Mims wasn't ready to take over immediately after Trent Brown's annual season ending injury.  Jenkins is starting to show up but DL depth is still losing them games in the meantime.  They hope for the best but are woefully unprepared for the worst.

 

thats what ever team in the entire nfl does. like many, almost all, yes all positions, there arent enough good starters, so there is certainly no delusion that some team is stacked with great depth at every position, right? how would every single team not hedge their bets on best case scenario? the bengals didnt hedge their bet that CTB would turn into a solid CB1, he WAS a solid CB1 last year, so they hedged bets that he would be that or better... which is completely reasonable.

 

52 minutes ago, Le Tigre said:

I don’t care if Mike Hilton is 51…he is also the glue that holds this motley backfield bunch somewhat together. Keep him here. 

 

personally, i agree, but the balance sheet and his age may not support that theory. id LOVE for him to stay, i just dont expect him to.

 

46 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

Fresh meat... 

With two of their two cornerbacks now lost for the year, the Cincinnati Bengals looked to the waiver wire for help ahead of Week 12.

There, the Bengals claimed Marco Wilson after his release by the New England Patriots, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Wilson, a fourth-round pick in 2021 by the Arizona Cardinals, joined the Patriots on waivers in December of 2023. He’s played in 54 career games with three interceptions.

The Bengals are desperate for help at corner after finding out DJ Turner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12. Dax Hill suffered a season-ending injury earlier this season and the last remaining starter, Cam Taylor-Britt, has been massively struggling.

With the Bengals on bye, Wilson has a week to get into the system and provide some important depth.

 

yea i didnt feel like Marco was even worth mentioning. he isnt very good, and is a warm body for the bottom of the depth chart best i can tell, if a 3rd full time starting CB goes down on top of the one who has lost his mind, we need a guy who at least has a bengals jersey to put on and flop out there.

 

19 minutes ago, SF2 said:

To be fair, no team is really prepared for the worst at the position.  The difference between a good cornerback and a backup around the league is pretty dramatic.  
 

Add to the equation a defensive line that just isn’t getting much pressure on the opposing QB and it is a recipe for disaster and hard to gameplan for. 
 

 

 

yes.

 

10 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

Right, but now they know he's struggling and what his limitations are..  so do they bring him back as CB1 anyway?  Likewise McPherson, ditto Cappa, & so on..

 

kickers often have to reach 50% career of uncertainty before any risk of losing your job, he has had 3 great years, and one bad one, is imagine he has a 2 year leash at this point.

 

long snapping hasnt been great, and new holder, i dont have time to go get all 4 angle replays of his misses, i know 2 were on bad snaps or holds, i know two looked clean, not sure the others. 

 

i also have a hard time judging a guy like Cappa, the offensive line is such a bag of worms as a unit the way they play together, rely on eachother, should know eachothers roles, and one guy can tank the whole unit.   with having:

(fill in LT) - (fucking terrible trash LG who needs help and fucks up constantly) - (Reliable vet center) - (RG magically bad somehow?) - (bad vet then rookie RT)  there are problems everywhere. it seems Karras has a big role in helping curb Volsons many many many shortcomings, does that dirupt the normal tendencies of the C/RG dynamic? if so how much? now add a rookie with talent to his right, how much does a rookie with the calls and nuances effect the RG? i dont know exactly, but karras and cappa are in a shit tornado and i have a hard time being concerned about either one just yet, but Cappa's performance has been one thats noticable. 

 

 

 

[KA14_HOF]

Remember that LSU-Florida game 4 years ago where, with the game tied late, Florida stopped LSU on 3rd down deep in their own territory until a Gator defender chucked the receiver's cleat half way down the field, incurring a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that allowed LSU to keep the ball and drive for the game-winning FG?

 

That was Marco Wilson.

[MichaelWeston]

I'd include Jalen Davis as well, I don't think he's terrible in spot moments. Nate Brooks is probably a fine 5th CB as well. 

 

Micah Abraham probably has the biggest upside of the practice squaders but is much more of an unknown. 

 

[KA14_HOF]

 

[-GoBengals-]

27 minutes ago, KA14_HOF said:

Remember that LSU-Florida game 4 years ago where, with the game tied late, Florida stopped LSU on 3rd down deep in their own territory until a Gator defender chucked the receiver's cleat half way down the field, incurring a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that allowed LSU to keep the ball and drive for the game-winning FG?

 

That was Marco Wilson.

 

lmao, ah yes.. what a dumbass, a funny dumbass, but a dumbass

 

23 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said:

I'd include Jalen Davis as well, I don't think he's terrible in spot moments. Nate Brooks is probably a fine 5th CB as well. 

 

Micah Abraham probably has the biggest upside of the practice squaders but is much more of an unknown. 

 

 

interesting, i mostly have anyone else in the list of "just a guy" not that its impossible to have PS guys move up and play well, its so rare and the room is so banged up if its not happening now, im thinking its probably not happening. but things can change for sure.

 

22 minutes ago, KA14_HOF said:

 

 

 

lmao. 

[T-Dub]

1 hour ago, GoBengals said:

 

thats what ever team in the entire nfl does. like many, almost all, yes all positions, there arent enough good starters, so there is certainly no delusion that some team is stacked with great depth at every position, right? how would every single team not hedge their bets on best case scenario? the bengals didnt hedge their bet that CTB would turn into a solid CB1, he WAS a solid CB1 last year, so they hedged bets that he would be that or better... which is completely reasonable.

 

 

 

I thought we were talking about next year?  Figure they've got to add to the DB room one way or another, better yet with both draft picks and a FA or two.

[-GoBengals-]

17 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

I thought we were talking about next year?  Figure they've got to add to the DB room one way or another, better yet with both draft picks and a FA or two.

 

got it, i read it as going into this year, my bad. yea next year there is NO FUCKING WAY this team goes into the season with what they got, even if they brought mike back.

 

I was saying they went into THIS year with last years info, which was a lot more promising and positive on CTB. the roof blew off the shithouse in the CB room this year, piles of injuries and your best guy turning into your worst guy.. absolutely brutal.

[UncleEarl]

I wouldn't give up on Turner and Newton as starters.  While physical ability is important for a CB, intelligence and mental toughness are equally important.  Both Turner and  Newton looked good in man coverage against SD, IMO.  Better than what we have seen from Bengals CBs lately.  We'll see what  Newton's got the next several weeks.  He'll make mistakes, he's a rookie.  If he  can bounce back from them and cover like he did in SD he may be a good one.

[BengalFanInTO]

11 hours ago, SF2 said:

Add to the equation a defensive line that just isn’t getting much pressure on the opposing QB and it is a recipe for disaster and hard to gameplan for.

 

 

This is such an underplayed factor in not only the performance of the secondary but, in the wins column. As a team, the Bengals have 7.5 sacks by players not named Hendrickson. Even when you add in his league leading 11.5 sacks, the Bengals still rank at the bottom of the league. I don't know where they rank in terms of pressures but, it's got to be similar. Very hard to determine how problematic the secondary is with this in play especially when you toss in injuries.  

[Jamie_B]

The two biggest needs this D needs are another passrusher (either from DE or another DT) and CB1.

 

There really isn't much in FA for DE/DT, there are a few guys in FA who could be CB1.

 

The guys we have in CTB, Turner, Hill, and Newton (assuming Hilton moves on) are not really good enough to be CB1. We need to go get one on FA.

[UncleEarl]

22 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

The two biggest needs this D needs are another passrusher (either from DE or another DT) and CB1.

 

There really isn't much in FA for DE/DT, there are a few guys in FA who could be CB1.

 

The guys we have in CTB, Turner, Hill, and Newton (assuming Hilton moves on) are not really good enough to be CB1. We need to go get one on FA.

 

I think a big spaceater at DT will help the pass rush.  BJ Hill is a good interior pass rusher, but whatever guy that is beside him is easily handled by one guy. 

 

Finding a CB1 is free agency is rare.  Teams don't let those guys go.  Too valuable.  The ones that hit the market almost always have issues.  Turner, Hill and Taylor-Britt all have great physical tools.  Hill can't stay healthy.  Taylor-Britt's problem sits on top of his shoulders.  Turner?  Maybe.  He certainly can run.  The Bengals will likely draft a CB in the first couple rounds. 

[Jamie_B]

2 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

 

I think a big spaceater at DT will help the pass rush.  BJ Hill is a good interior pass rusher, but whatever guy that is beside him is easily handled by one guy. 

 

Finding a CB1 is free agency is rare.  Teams don't let those guys go.  Too valuable.  The ones that hit the market almost always have issues.  Turner, Hill and Taylor-Britt all have great physical tools.  Hill can't stay healthy.  Taylor-Britt's problem sits on top of his shoulders.  Turner?  Maybe.  He certainly can run.  The Bengals will likely draft a CB in the first couple rounds. 

 

They also almost never let DEs go. 

[|High School Harry|]

Coach Zac: "Strap it up and get out there in the defensive backfield, Marco."

 

Jermain Burton: "POLO"

[-GoBengals-]

On 11/20/2024 at 6:11 AM, UncleEarl said:

I wouldn't give up on Turner and Newton as starters.  While physical ability is important for a CB, intelligence and mental toughness are equally important.  Both Turner and  Newton looked good in man coverage against SD, IMO.  Better than what we have seen from Bengals CBs lately.  We'll see what  Newton's got the next several weeks.  He'll make mistakes, he's a rookie.  If he  can bounce back from them and cover like he did in SD he may be a good one.

 

i would, i like them both, both what makes a CB! is both smarts and physical talent combo, Turner is a borderline starter honestly, Newton is the Iosivas of the DB room, smal, great guy, but he doesnt have the abilities of a top talent guy. i 1000% think Newton can spot start and be totally fine, but the wear and tear of a season on a guy who is physically on the edge, isnt likely a recipe for success. Turner, possibly, but again, if so, i need them to be the WORST starting CB we have, the talent in the room needs to increase, perhaps im just gun shy about discussing the two as any real role player until that happens? seems like a bias i would have.

 

On 11/20/2024 at 9:25 AM, BengalFanInTO said:

 

This is such an underplayed factor in not only the performance of the secondary but, in the wins column. As a team, the Bengals have 7.5 sacks by players not named Hendrickson. Even when you add in his league leading 11.5 sacks, the Bengals still rank at the bottom of the league. I don't know where they rank in terms of pressures but, it's got to be similar. Very hard to determine how problematic the secondary is with this in play especially when you toss in injuries.  

 

1000% but we did just address this and Jackson and Jenkins have played well inside, Hubbard has been iffy at best, Murphy is on the brink of bust, and ossai is a guy who gets pressure but NEVER gets home. so Ossai and murphy are looking like backup edge guys, so you are right we need a #1 pass rusher, I am very curious what the team is willing to invest with golden hometown boy Hubbard having a rough year with the injury. ill dive way more into this on my DL post. but its a huge factor for the secondary having to cover way too long. that was the factor on the final chargers drive, a half second faster pressure and neither long pass is completed. 

 

On 11/20/2024 at 10:07 AM, Jamie_B said:

The two biggest needs this D needs are another passrusher (either from DE or another DT) and CB1.

 

There really isn't much in FA for DE/DT, there are a few guys in FA who could be CB1.

 

The guys we have in CTB, Turner, Hill, and Newton (assuming Hilton moves on) are not really good enough to be CB1. We need to go get one on FA.

 

yea i think everyone in the building would agree, at least i hope, that there is no CB1 on the roster going into the offseason.. do they drop draft capital or do they find a Hilton/Awuzie guy on the market?

 

2 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

 

I think a big spaceater at DT will help the pass rush.  BJ Hill is a good interior pass rusher, but whatever guy that is beside him is easily handled by one guy. 

 

Finding a CB1 is free agency is rare.  Teams don't let those guys go.  Too valuable.  The ones that hit the market almost always have issues.  Turner, Hill and Taylor-Britt all have great physical tools.  Hill can't stay healthy.  Taylor-Britt's problem sits on top of his shoulders.  Turner?  Maybe.  He certainly can run.  The Bengals will likely draft a CB in the first couple rounds. 

 

thats what Jackson is, and has done really well, especially after starting the year on the PUP or whatever. so i think thats been addressed fine. I have a hard time with ACL/MCL tears saying a guy cant stay healthy, unless its like 4 of them. hill has 2-3 more years to figure out his spot, so im with you for sure, drafting a guy or finding the Awuzie in the marketplace is a MUST.

 

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Coach Zac: "Strap it up and get out there in the defensive backfield, Marco."

 

Jermain Burton: "POLO"

 

wut