The Cincinnati Bengals have their second first-round pick signed.
Kevin Zeitler, a guard from Wisconsin whom the Bengals selected with the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft, has signed his rookie contract, the team announced. The Bengals had already signed their other first-round pick, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
The Bengals traded down in the first round and ended up taking Zeitler with the 27th overall pick, which they acquired from the Patriots. But they said they liked him enough that they would have taken him at No. 21 if the Patriots hadn’t made the trade offer.
When the Bengals got Organized Team Activities underway, Zeitler was working with the first-string offense as the starting right guard.
“It’s cool to be up there getting some reps, but I have a long way to go,” Zeitler said. “If they did put me with the first unit – great. If they didn’t, I would have just tried to work my way up. I just try to do my job and try to get better.”
The Bengals’ two third-round picks, wide receiver Mohammed Sanu and defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, are the only draft picks they haven’t signed.