Following the breakout season of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard, the team decided to place the fifth-year option on the former 2014 first-round pick. Even with the departure of former cornerback Adam Jones, Cincinnati looks to have a dangerous secondary this coming season. Dennard will resume his role as the slot cornerback, and cornerbacks William Jackson III and Dre Kirkpatrick will resume the outside positions in 2018.
It can be tough for Bengals fans as the team brings cornerbacks along slowly, but it paid off in 2017. During his breakout season, Dennard compiled 83 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and six pass deflections.