Around the NFL

Bengals exercise options on Dre Kirkpatrick, Zeitler

Published: Apr 28, 2015 at 04:48 AM

Marc Sessler

Cincinnati has locked down a pair of former first-round picks through 2016.

The Bengals announced Tuesday that the team exercised their fifth-year options on cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler.

The No. 17 overall pick from 2012, Kirkpatrick has failed to live up to expectations with just five starts over three seasons. Still, the 25-year-old cover man has shown flashes of playmaking ability with six career interceptions, including a pair of picks off Peyton Manning in a December victory over the Broncos. With Terence Newman out the door, Kirkpatrick is in line to start come September.

Zeitler has been highly productive, starting 39 games since the Bengals snagged him with the 27th overall pick in 2012. Grading out as the league's ninth-best guard last season, per Pro Football Focus, Zeitler was especially strong as a run blocker. His future is bright.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews the 2015 NFL Draft and breaks down the biggest rumors and storylines. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

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