A physically imposing force at the corner position, Dre Kirkpatrick handled the best that the SEC had to offer in his time at Alabama. He was often relied on to play bump-and-run in addition to being on his own island versus his receiver. However, Kirkpatrick has never been one with a penchant for interceptions, and speedy receivers will undoubtedly test him at the next level despite him posting a respectable 4.51 40-yard dash time. His stock took a hit in January when charges for possession of marijuana were filed against him, but were later dropped.
The Bengals are getting a solid cover corner in Kirkpatrick and are filling a big need at corner. If all goes well, they should see an instant improvement upon a secondary comprising an ailing Leon Hall and a subpar -5.7 coverage performance from Nate Clements in 2011. The free agency addition of Terrence Newman, who had abysmal 2011 and 2010 campaigns, still provides the Bengals with some upside as well as some insurance for Hall if he is not able to see much of the field.
Kirkpatrick's future looks bright in Cincinnati, but for a corner who had not generated many turnovers in college, his fantasy prospects for the coming year are as muddled as the depth chart in front of him.
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