NFL Draft Profile: Daxton Hill, Safety, Michigan Wolverines

NFL draft profile scouting report for Michigan safety, Daxton Hill

The NFL Draft Bible | Jul 30, 2021

NFL Draft Profile: Daxton Hill, Safety, Michigan Wolverines /

#30
Pos: DS
Ht: 6002
Wt: 191
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3228
Wing: 7928
40: 4.38
Bench: N/A
3-Cone: 6.57
Shuttle: N/A
Vert: 33.5
Broad: 1001
DOB: 9/29/00
Eligible: 2022
Tulsa, OK
Booker T. Washington High School

Daxton Hill
Michigan Wolverines

Pros:

Calderone: Although he is a safety, Hill has the coverage ability of a cornerback with added instincts and lateral agility. He plays hard and through the whistle, often frustrating his opponents with his methods. Hill’s pressing ability at the line of scrimmage can interrupt routes run by receivers and causes them to be out of position when the ball comes. His feet and hips are always in sync and it helps his stop/start ability while mirroring receivers. Hill’s film from 2019 to 2020 shows increased ability to recognize formations and routes and thus provides him an opportunity to see a play before it happens. The junior defensive back has intriguing lateral agility that can help him travel across the field quickly and his range is unlimited, enhanced by his lethal speed in the middle of the field. Hill has a chance to take a big jump in his junior season and establish himself as a top five defensive back in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Lamattina: Hill isn’t afraid to get physical at the point of contact and in his tackling efforts. Tremendous play speed. Shows flashes that he can fly around the field, both in coverage and as a run defender. Can get out of his feet in a hurry with great burst and acceleration. Heavy hitter when he comes downhill. Plays well in man coverage against slot receivers. Can match the physicality, speed and movement skills out of the gate. His athleticism allows him to stay right at the hip of his matchup in press coverage from the start to the finish of every rep. Affects the game as an extra blitzer from the slot position as well. Solid short-area quickness and fluidity to adjust on underneath routes. Such a natural athlete who can twist and turn his hips very easily. Has the versatility to play in any safety role or in the slot.

Cons:

Calderone: Hill has a skinny frame that could use the added weight that an NFL training regimen could bring. His frame should not affect his draft stock, however, as he has solid physicality in his play.

Lamattina: Very thin frame, will absolutely need to add mass in order to relieve any durability concerns that may exist. Sometimes is too aggressive as a run defender when attacking downhill which causes him to take bad angles to the ball. The further back in the defense he plays, the more undeveloped his field vision seems to get. Hopefully will get more reps in a deeper safety role to develop his zonal awareness. Doesn’t get his hand in on as many passes as you’d like to see. With his sublime burst, he should be getting way more plays on the ball than he does.

Summary:

Calderone: There is no question that Hill’s impressive sophomore campaign put him on the radar of a lot of the media in the 2021 offseason. The former five star recruit out of Tulsa had 46 tackles and five total pass breakups in 2020 after starting all six games of the COVID-19 shortened season at safety. He’s rangy and dynamic in the fact that he can cover like a cornerback as a safety.

Lamattina: Daxton Hill played predominantly in an overhang safety role for Michigan, as well as playing in a split-tandem system. He shines because of his athleticism at the position, especially when he is flying around the field. He has great speed and burst to make an impact no matter where he is lined up. He needs to develop his zonal awareness in coverage when he lines up deeper in the defense, which should come with more reps. Although his long-term projection may be as a deep safety, his best role at this current moment is playing as a slot cornerback. His quickness, twitch and physicality will get him drafted fairly high.

Background:

One of Ann Arbor’s highest-ranked players ever, Hill attended Booker T. Washington High School (2019) coached by Brad Calip. Hill led the team to an 8-4 record and the Class 6 A-II semifinals. He was a finalist at 2018 Nike The Opening in Arlington, Texas. 247Sports Composite Ranking as the nation’s top safety prospect, the No. 1 player in Oklahoma and the eighth-ranked player overall nationally. Hill was the 2018-19 Gatorade Player of the Year in Oklahoma. Hill was born Sept. 29, 2000. He is the son of Derrick and Tia Hill and his brother, Justice, was a running back at Oklahoma State. Justice was eventually drafted in the fourth round (113 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL Draft.

One-Liners

Calderone: Although he is a safety, Hill has the coverage ability of a cornerback with added instincts and lateral agility that make him as good of a hybrid as there is in college football.

Lamattina: Daxton Hill can be an immediate impact player as a slot corner in the NFL because of his speed, physicality and quickness.