Zac Taylor and Cam Taylor-Britt Praise Mike Hilton: He's The Best Nickel Cornerback In Football

The veteran has made a huge impact on defense this season.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Jan 24, 2023 8:57 AM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton is one of the many unsung heroes on Cincinnati's defense.

The veteran led the team with eight tackles (one for loss), two quarterback hits and one pass defensed in Sunday's 27-10 win over Josh Allen and the Bills.

"He’s the best nickel [cornerback] in all of football," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. "He’s savvy, instinctive, physical, great coverage ability, he can make plays on the ball and come up with the ball when he gets his opportunity."

Hilton is listed at 5-9, 184 pounds. He hasn't had any problem bringing down ballcarriers, even though he's one of the smallest players in the NFL.

"He’s a fearless rusher. A lot of guys are tentative when their number is called," Taylor said. "He does a great job winning his looks. When he gets the chance to pull the trigger and come he gets the most of it. Knowing having played against all sorts of safeties and corners and nickels that pressure you, a lot of them as soon as they get blocked it’s kind of over. He’s the opposite. He'll keep fighting through it and find ways to put pressure on the quarterback so they can feel his presence. Just really instinctive player that way."

Hilton nearly forced a fumble on Sunday. He makes opposing offensive linemen look silly when rushing the passer or taking down a running back in the backfield.

The veteran has made quite an impression on rookie cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.

"I don't know how Mike does it but I'm going to let him keep doing it," Taylor-Britt said. "Anytime somebody has the ball, he's just gets there with the quickness, moving through the linemen. He doesn't like to be touched so he's dipping in between linemen and everything and he's in the backfield somehow. That just amazes me. I'm out there on the outside and guarding for two seconds and it's like, 'Mike again. Alright, let's go then.'"

Hilton needs to continue to play at a high level if the Bengals are going to beat the Chiefs on Sunday and reach the Super Bowl for a second-straight season.

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