Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals
Dre Kirkpatrick is arguably the most underrated player on this list. In 2018 he started all 13 games he appeared in and racked up 41 tackles and nine passes defended. Most importantly, he allowed the lowest catch rate in the league at 44%.
He’ll count a shade under $11 million in 2019. Marvin Lewis is gone, and Cincinnati’s rebuild under Zac Taylor will likely mean Kirkpatrick follows him. The Bengals have to take some big moves to wash the taste of a rotten 2018 finish from their mouths, and jettisoning their fourth-highest paid player could be the next one. – Christian d’andrea, sb nation
The Bengals cornerback room isn’t filled with talent but they do have two strong corners in Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson. They have already re-signed Dennard and with an extension likely coming for Jackson, they might not have room to afford Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick was another favorite of Mayock, being ranked 27th overall and the second best cornerback overall heading into the 2012 NFL Draft.
Pairing Kirkpatrick with Conley would give the Raiders a young cornerback core to build around. Add in Joyner and Abrams behind them and the secondary begins to look pretty dangerous.
Kirkpatrick’s limited catch rate shows his potential as a CB1 on the Raiders. He would improve Conley as more teams would have to throw his way and overall just improve the secondary.
Kirkpatrick might be underrated now, but if he keeps allowing minimal completions towards him, he is going to make a name for himself. The Raiders should pounce now before his contract gets out of hand.
