![](\"https:\/\/bengalswire.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24422101.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1\")
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The Cincinnati Bengals will need to make a tough call on veteran cornerback Mike Hilton in free agency.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a quick outlook as the Bengals get ready for the offseason.<\/p>\n
Over the Cap estimates Mike Hilton in the $5-6 million average per year range still. Still, he\u2019s 30 years old and that could swing in either direction depending on what the interested teams have as far as cap space and roster needs.<\/p>\n
Hilton seemed to stick out more as a positive presence for the defense as the season continued, especially once Lou Anarumo simplified things. He still had nice usage as a blitzer and near the line of scrimmage, although he came off the field on third downs. There\u2019s also much to be said about his ability to mentor a young defensive back room.<\/p>\n
The market could really drum up his number beyond what the Bengals want to pay. And there are only so many roster spots to go around if the Bengals want to slant younger with Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner, Dax Hill, DJ Ivey and Josh Newton. That\u2019s five corners already before other free agents and draft picks. There are likely at least three roster locks at safety already, too. There\u2019s also the matter of whether he even fits with the new defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n
Re-sign at the right price<\/strong>. A safe and predictable answer, sure. But getting Hilton back on a short deal would be the right move, especially with so much uncertainty around a cornerback room with CTB erratic and Hill and Turner coming back from injuries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Bengals have an interesting dilemma on their hands in free agency with Mike Hilton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11220,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[383,682,65,303,683,684],"class_list":["post-11219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cincinnati-bengals","tag-bengals-free-agency","tag-bengals-free-agents","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-latest-news","tag-mike-hilton","tag-nfl-free-agency"],"yoast_head":"\n