Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Bengals signed first-round draft pick Dre Kirkpatrick on Friday.

Kirkpatrick, a cornerback out of Alabama, was taken by the Bengals with the 17th overall pick in last month's draft.

The 6-foot-2, 186-pounder became a lock-down corner at Alabama, helping the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2011.

Kirkpatrick, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award last season as the top defensive back in the nation, recorded 30 tackles and nine pass breakups in 2011. He was a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide and had three interceptions in 2010.

05/18 12:41:21 ET