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The Cincinnati Bengals have had an exciting past few days.
After taking an offensive tackle in the second round and then a tackle/guard combo in the fourth round, the Bengals have filled out the last position they need for widespread competition on the offensive line.
With the 190th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Trey Hill, a center from the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Hill stands a tall 6-foot-5 and comes in at 320 pounds.
Steve Muench’s pre-draft analysis notes that he is big enough and versatile enough to play guard or center. Given how the Bengals have added talent at tackle, it’s nice to see them add interior help as well.
However, injury could also factor in for Hill as he played just eight games during his final collegiate season. Hill did play 14 games in both the 2018 and 2019 season. He left for the NFL after his junior season.
“(Hill was) named to the watch list of the 2020 Rimington Award, given annually to the nation’s top center...named to the pre-season watch list for the Outland Trophy (nation’s outstanding interior lineman)...second-team pre-season All-SEC, as picked by the media covering the league,” Georgia’s team site noted.
Prior to the injury, Hill was drawing Day 2 buzz, so he has the potential to be a major steal this late in the draft. It’s still unlikely the sixth-round pick has an immediate impact, but he certainly has long-term potential given his size and skill set.
For now, he’ll have to battle with Trey Hopkins and Billy Price at center while also likely getting reps at one or both guard spots.
The Bengals have had issues with their offensive line over the past few seasons, and now with three new rookies coming in, the team will have options to keep veterans working hard.
Hill has the motor, playing 95% of the snaps in the eight games he did play. That’s a positive, and we’ll see if he can’t snag a few reps this coming season as offensive line availability has also been a huge factor in the Queen City.
Grade: B+
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