B.j. Hill

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		129	27.5	407	31
2025		17	4.0	66	2
2024		15	3.0	56	9.5
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

B.J. Hill's Contract Value Index lands at B-, putting the deal in a defined slice of comparable signings. At $11M AAV on a three-year deal, Hill is getting paid like a solid-to-above-average interior defensive lineman, which aligns squarely with his B+ performance grade and his 2025 season production of 66 tackles and 4 sacks across 17 games—the kind of grinding, steady interior presence that anchors a defensive line without always generating splash-play volume. For a 31-year-old established veteran eight seasons into his career, this contract represents fair value in the current DT market: he's neither an overpaid veteran in decline nor a bargain-basement deal, but rather an appropriately compensated anchor piece for a team investing in its defensive rebuild. The Bengals' public commitment to Hill—shutting down cut-candidate speculation and surrounding him with complementary pass-rush talent via recent signings—signals organizational confidence that he remains a reliable two-down anchor, and the reported acquisition of Dexter Lawrence and signing of Jonathan Allen suggest the front office believes Hill's production can actually increase alongside disruptive edge talent. His CVI grade reflects a sensible allocation of resources: not a steal, but a stable, defensible contract for a veteran who has earned his place in Cincinnati's defensive puzzle heading into 2026.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where B.j.'s contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

B.J. Hill is an eight-year interior disruptor who has carved out a dependable role as a starting defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals. Earning a B+ overall grade, he profiles as a reliable above-average starter rather than a marquee name — a valued piece in Cincinnati's defensive front. His career arc reflects consistent mid-tier production, with back-to-back B grades in 2023 and 2024 before a modest dip to a C+ this season. Hill's most impressive current-season number is his tackles-per-game rate of 3.88, which actually clears the elite threshold of 3.69 and nearly doubles the NFL average of 1.82 — a testament to his instincts and effort against the run. His sacks-per-game rate of 0.24 and QB hits-per-game of 0.53 both sit above the NFL averages of 0.14 and 0.29 respectively, indicating he remains a legitimate pass-rush contributor for a tackle. The one genuine concern is his TFL rate of 0.12 per game, well below the NFL average of 0.27, suggesting he struggles to finish plays behind the line of scrimmage despite his activity level. At 31 with eight seasons of wear, Hill is firmly in the back nine of his career, but his tackle production keeps him relevant as a two-down run-stuffer with enough pass-rush upside to justify starting snaps. The C+ dip this season warrants monitoring — if that trend continues into 2026, questions about declining burst and penetration ability will legitimately arise. For now, he remains a dependable veteran who quietly steadies a defense without demanding top-dollar attention.

How B.j. Compares at the Position

B.j. Hill ranks 27th of 216 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots B.j. between Larry Ogunjobi (B+) just ahead and Jalen Redmond (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

B.J. Hill enters 2026 as a respected interior defensive lineman whose reputation is anchored in consistent, reliable starter-level production rather than elite accolades. Recent media coverage has been notably positive, highlighting his mentorship influence on teammates like Dexter Lawrence and his role in what analysts describe as a formidable Bengals defensive trio. The narrative around Hill emphasizes team chemistry and defensive synergy rather than individual statistical dominance, which reflects his value as a stabilizing presence on the line. While he lacks Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition despite eight seasons in the league, the tone of current coverage suggests he is viewed favorably within Cincinnati's defensive scheme and by the fanbase. Overall perception remains solidly in the starter tier with modest positive momentum, positioning him as a dependable veteran rather than a breakout star heading into the 2026 season.