Dre Kirkpatrick Reportedly a Free Agency Target for Steelers, Titans

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans have reportedly expressed interest in free-agent cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick before the start of the new league year, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Kirkpatrick, 27, spent the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after he was selected in the first round of the 2012 draft. 

In 15 appearances last season, Kirkpatrick recorded 46 total tackles and tied his career high with three interceptions. He also defended 10 passes, marking the second straight season in which he recorded a double-digit tally in that category. 

And while his start to the 2016 season was slow, Pro Football Focus' Matt Claassen noted Kirkpatrick finished the season "with the eighth-lowest yards per cover snap allowed for cornerbacks."

"I had a pretty good year. It was all right," Kirkpatrick said, per ESPN.com's Katherine Terrell. "Still feel like I left a lot out there. Always got another opportunity, though."

For both the Steelers and Titans, Kirkpatrick would be a sensible addition. 

Although he's likely to come at something of a steep cost with the free-agent cornerback market relatively thin, Kirkpatrick would give the Titans some peace of mind after they allowed a 30th-ranked 269 passing yards per game last season. 

The Steelers were steadier on the back end to the tune of 243 passing yards allowed per game, but Kirkpatrick would represent a big lift to a secondary that has youngsters like Artie Burns and Ross Cockrell slated to play big roles next year.