Ranking Bengals’ best 1st-round picks of last decade

Where do Cincinnati’s first-round picks rank?

3. Dre Kirkpatrick

2012, No. 17

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 13: Dre Kirkpatrick #27 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on September 13, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Kirkpatrick never fully won over fans with his on-field play. Cornerbacks have to give up big plays and make mistakes and Kirkpatrick’s were more visible than most.

And yet, looking at something like 2018 over the course of 13 games, Kirkpatrick only let up a 50 percent completion percentage on a whopping 72 targets.

Tackling and penalties (he had just two over six games in 2019), plus the big contract, meant the marriage had to end. But getting eight solid years at a premium spot like boundary corner still makes Kirkpatrick one of the better picks of the last decade.