Former Cincinnati Bengals defender Mike Hilton was always open and full of quoteworthy messages during his time with the team.
As NFL draft season starts ramping up, here’s another from Hilton: Don’t buy into the cliches and tropes too much.
Chatting with fans on social media, Hilton bemoaned the idea of labeling cornerbacks as “undersized” during the draft process:
I don’t care what size you are at corner…..A football player is a FOOTBALL PLAYER! End of discussion! Going into year 10 as a “undersized” corner 🤷🏾♂️ Dont let the narrative change your thoughts..
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) January 26, 2026
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Hilton would know. He was tabbed as such throughout his career, yet managed to consistently be one of the most physical cornerbacks in the NFL. He, alongside the likes of Vonn Bell, were the tone-setters for a defense that spurred deep playoff runs.
The Bengals usually have a solid history with so-called “smaller” corners. Some might’ve called Leon Hall one.
So, just something small to keep in mind as the draft process ramps up. They could be looking at corners, too, as they need a slot man in Hilton’s old spot while Dax Hill and DJ Turner start on the boundary.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Former Bengals star throws fitting message as draft season starts
