The Bengals added to their collection of first-round cornerbacks under contract, signing rookie William Jackson to his four-year deal Friday.
Jackson was the 24th overall pick, and the Bengals jumped the corner-needy Steelers to get to him on draft day. The Steelers came back with cornerback Artie Burns with the next pick.
The Bengals have plenty of pedigreed corners, but with Darqueze Dennard coming off a shoulder injury and Dre Kirkpatrick taking his time to develop into a trustworthy defender, there’s an opportunity for Jackson to play.
The early reviews have been positive, and if nothing else, he gave the Bengals a chance to tweak their division rivals.
