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.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

news

Mike McGlinchey not feeling pressure amid Broncos' postseason bid: 'It's not the Catalina Wine Mixer'

For Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who was part of several deep postseason runs during his five years in San Francisco, the key is to play loose and not make reaching the playoffs into a Mile High mental mountain.

news

Eric Dickerson on Saquon Barkley chasing his rushing record: 'I don't think he'll break it'

Saquon Barkley is 268 rushing yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set in 1984.

news

Caleb Williams 'will definitely take the heat' for Bears' offensive struggles in loss to Seahawks

The Chicago Bears put up fewer than 200 yards for the second time in four games Thursday night in a 6-3 loss to Seattle.

news

Geno Smith on Seahawks' ugly 6-3 win over Bears: 'Not always going to be sunshine and rainbows'

It was anything but pretty, and that was just fine with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, whose team emerged with a 6-3 win over the Chicago Bears on Thursday and a 15% probability to make it to the playoffs.

news

Seahawks-Bears on 'Thursday Night Football': What We Learned from Seattle's 6-3 win over Chicago

Geno Smith and the Seahawks fended off the host Bears on Thursday night at a rainy Soldier Field, maintaining their slim chances at winning the NFC West.

news

Week 17 Thursday inactives: Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

The official inactives for Week 17 Thursday Night Football: Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

news

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) placed on injured reserve, ending his regular season

The Seahawks placed running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve ahead of Thursday's Week 17 game against the Bears, ending Walker's regular season.

news

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb to miss remainder of season with shoulder injury

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will not play in the final two games of the 2024 NFL season. Dallas said that additional scans of the wideout's shoulder "determined that his injury has now progressed to a point" that he should sit out the remainder of the year.

news

Teddy Bridgewater coming out of retirement to sign with Lions

Teddy Bridgewater is back. The veteran quarterback is coming out of retirement and is signing with the Detroit Lions.

news

Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol three days before Eagles' Week 17 meeting with Cowboys

Philadelphia's rematch with Dallas may not include a key player. Quarterback Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Thursday.

news

TE Travis Kelce wanted to show Tony Gonzalez 'some love' with 'big tribute' after passing him on Chiefs TD list

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce made history on Wednesday, passing franchise icon Tony Gonzalez on Kansas City's all-time TD catch list

news

NFL news roundup: Colts QB Anthony Richardson DNP; Dolphins waiving Shaquil Barrett from reserve/retired list

NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown.