Former Ole Miss defensive back Mike Hilton is the definition of consistent. He played in all 48 games of his collegiate career with the Rebels, and despite going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, has missed just one game over the last eight seasons.
Now, that consistency is paying off as the Miami Dolphins give the veteran safety new life, signing him after four years with the Cincinnati Bengals.
After nobody drafted Hilton in 2016, he hopped between practice squads for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2017, the Steelers signed him to his first official contract in the NFL.
Ole Miss Rebels safety Mike Hilton's NFL debut
Hilton first appeared for Pittsburgh in the Steelers' matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The former Rebel finished the game with just two tackles, but that was all he needed to ignite an impressive career in the league.
He finished the year with 64 total tackles (48 solo), six pass deflections, four sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. Since then, he has transformed into a defensive back who is highly respected by his peers and coaches.
After four years with the Steelers, Hilton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he also spent four seasons. In 2023, he earned a career high of 84 total tackles. In 2024, he earned a career high 11.5 stuffs for 37 yards.
Mike Hilton NFL career stats
- 520 total tackles (396 solo)
- 56 pass deflections
- 13 interceptions
- 11.5 sacks
- 6 fumble recoveries
- 4 forced fumbles
- 1 touchdown
During his first season with the Bengals (2021), he returned his first-ever interception against his former team, in Cincinnati's 41-10 regular-season win over the Steelers.
On the day that the Dolphins signed Hilton, they also signed fellow veteran defensive back Jack Jones, who had been in the league for five seasons (two years with the New England Patriots and three with the Las Vegas Raiders).
Miami, Hilton, and Jones will kick off their 2025 campaign with a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. ET.