The Cincinnati Bengals have been planning for the future in their secondary for a few years now. It began with safety Dax Hill in the first round in 2022.

Hill didn't have a huge role defensively as a rookie with the Bengals already having quality depth, but he did manage to log two starts. 

In 2023, Hill's role will be a lot different as more responsibility will be placed on his shoulders. 

Hill was a draft selection that raised eyebrows at the time. His 13 games with six or fewer snaps on defense illustrated why, but it was never a pick for 2022.

Rather, it was a pick for the following year after the team had let Jessie Bates III walk out of the door for more money elsewhere. The loss of Vonn Bell in the same offseason only places more focus on Hill stepping into a starting role after a rookie season that was more of a redshirt year than anything else.

Hill started one game last year when injury forced him into the lineup, but overall was deployed more on special teams (167 snaps) than on defense (130, with 66 coming in that one start).

He has the versatility to line up wherever they need him to within the defense and operate from any safety alignment, and this season he is going to have to show that across a full-time position. –Sam Monson, PFF

The Bengals signed veteran Nick Scott to play alongside Hill, and it also gives rookie Jordan Battle time to be groomed. So Hill is in line to be a starter and he'll need his top-notch ball skills and elite speed (ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash) to match his uncanny versatility and football instincts for Lou Anarumo's defense. 

Hill's learning curve didn't last long, and sometimes that's the best way, to get thrown into the fire. Well, whatever Hill is made of will be seen this season. 

Bengals are turning to their youth movement in key area

They’ve spent prime draft stock here.

Feature image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK