The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to an undisclosed four-year deal with free-agent cornerback Mike Hilton, who presumably will supplant Mackensie Alexander as the starting slot cornerback in 2021. The Bengals also added former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie in free agency to fill the pending vacancy of 2016 first-rounder William Jackson. Hilton and Awuzie will join Trae Waynes, who missed the entire 2020 season with a pectoral injury, in the starting lineup in 2021. Hilton should face competition from Darius Phillips, who is entering his contract year, but it should be Hilton's job to lose given his hefty contract. Over the last four years with Pittsburgh, Hilton had appeared in 59 games (20 starts), recording seven interceptions, including a career-high three in 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton (shoulder) was limited in practice all week, but he's listed as doubtful for Week 9 against the Cowboys. Hilton ranks 28th among defensive backs in fantasy points despite playing in just four games so far in 2020. He's recorded 29 tackles (27 solo), five tackles for loss, five QB hits, one interception, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery for Pittsburgh. They're unlikely to need him in a matchup against a Cowboys team that will be starting Garrett Gilbert under center this week. All of Dallas' offensive weapons must be downgraded against Pittsburgh's top-notch defense. The Steelers Defense should be considered the top fantasy option in Week 9.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton signed his second-round contract tender on Thursday, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Hilton headed into the offseason as a restricted free agent for the Steelers. He will now play for $3.27 million in 2020, but the two sides are reportedly still hopeful that they can reach a long-term contract extension before the season begins. Hilton racked up 65 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2019. He originally signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2016 but has been a solid part of the Pittsburgh secondary over the past three seasons.
