The Patriots Prospect Profile: Daxton Hill – DB Michigan
The Patriots lose J.C. Jackson in free agents just one year after moving on from Stephan Gilmore. Both were pivotal in the Patriot’s bend but don’t break defense. The Patriots do extend Devin McCourty, keeping some stability at DB.
Jabril Peppers is also added into the mix. However, the 26-year-old former Giant has played at free safety for 70% of his career. This leaves the question of who will fill in as cornerback. I believe the only answer is Daxton Hill.
Daxton Hill Does It All
Daxton Hill is a 6ft 190lb safety from Michigan. But wait … there’s more. Hill also plays all three cornerback positions. This versatility is what has him climbing everyone’s draft boards. Hill played in 33 games at Michigan in his three seasons and is viewed as a late-first round or second-round draft prospect. He was named first-team All-Big Ten in the coaches poll, and second-team All-Big Ten by the media.
Having a PFF grade of 76.2% for the 2021 season, He should profile as a second-round pick.
Why the boost in draft stock now? At Michigan, he was the most athletic player on defense. Because of this, he was forced into the nickel role and not asked to move around or show his full potential. Now, after the combine, it’s clear that Daxton Hill can do it all.
“Hill must continue to study his keys and refine his mental process. Once he does that, and once things click, the Michigan S can be a special player. He covers ground with inhuman burst and speed. In coverage, this burst warrants his impressive range, and he also has the fluidity and foot speed to stick to players in man. At peak development, Hill can be a game-changing chess piece in the secondary. The question is, can he reach that peak?” (Ian Cummings Pro Football Network Draft Analysis)
Hill showed rare speed and explosiveness as a safety with a 4.38 40 yard dash time. Then an impressive three-cone drill showed his ability to move side to side as will be needed if asked to cover the league’s top receivers as a cornerback.
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Daxton Hill Player of The Week VS Indiana
Pro Comp: Devin McCourty
This is an easy comparison. A DB that has spent a good amount of time at both safety and cornerback. McCourty is a bit shorter at 5’10” and 193lbs. Hill is slightly faster running the 40-yard dash .01 second better than McCourty. Because of their speed, both DBs have experience as returners on special teams too.
McCourty was graded as the fourth overall Cornerback entering the 2010 draft. McCourty was selected in the first round at 27th overall. He was the third CB off the board. For Hill, Just like McCourty, Some scouts will have him listed as a day two target. I believe that you can not sleep on his speed and versatility. Daxton will mirror his comparison in McCourty and go in the first.
Fitting With The Patriots
The question remains, can Daxton Hill fit into the Patriot’s secondary? This is an easy yes. If the Patriots draft hill, you get two players in one. The Patriots just signed Jabril Peppers, Who also played at Michigan. So you don’t need Hill to play safety full time.
Then the Patriots bring back Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler to play cornerback. What do the Patriots need Hill for then? I present to you the 34-year-old Devin McCourty. Bringing in Hill will ultimately serve as McCourtys replacement.
Daxton Hill can learn from the Patriots captain and fill in as a depth role all over this defense. Hill, Like McCourty, will be able to transition from one assignment on the field to another. This has been a crucial part of the Patriot’s Defense.
There are countless players within this team that play or have played multiple roles as if it’s a requirement. Hill would fit right into what Belichick is building at the moment, with speed and versatility to be a threat in the passing game.
Draft Day
This is where it gets interesting. Where does Daxton go? I think the Patriots will do a typical move by trading back. I think they will stay in the first round though and stash away another late-round pick in the process.
The perfect trade partner would be Kansas City who holds both picks 29 and 30. However, the Lions could make a splash with the 32nd pick as they also hold second overall too.
In either case, Daxton Hill is the perfect Patriots selection for day one in the draft. Whether it’s at 21, 29, or 32, I believe Daxton Hill is a Patriot.
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