The Cincinnati Bengals got what looks like one of free agency’s bigger steals by signing former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton.

Hilton, a do-it-all slot man, says he’s had an eye on the Bengals across the AFC North for a while now.

“Being in the AFC North, I’ve kept an eye on them,” Hilton said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “They drafted (Joe) Burrow last year. They definitely have a franchise quarterback to build around, so I’m excited to play with him. I felt like it was the right fit for me.”

Burrow has that sort of effect on people, of course. But Hilton also says he likes Vonn Bell’s style and considered Jessie Bates one of the best in the game.

There’s also this:

“I feel like having those guys over the top of me and just signing (Chidobe) Awuzie and getting Trae Waynes on the outside, I feel like this secondary is really beginning to come together. We’re young guys. Once we get on that same wave length, I feel like we can be dangerous.”

The Bengals have quite a bit more appeal to free agents these days and the combination of Burrow and willingness to spend big isn’t the only part of that.

For Hilton, the schematic fit just makes a ton of sense and only looks even better if the team can add some more pass-rushers. The idea Burrow’s offense can put up enough points to keep the defense comfortable and loose sure doesn’t hurt either.