Updated

Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cincinnati Bengals exercised the contract options of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler on Tuesday, keeping both players with the club through the 2016 season.

Both players were first-round draft choices of the Bengals in 2012.

"These are two guys we want to keep and are glad to keep for a fifth year in 2016, and hopefully beyond that," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "They are not only good players, they are good people and good teammates, part of a winning mix.

"Kevin has started since the day he walked in this building. For Dre, things didn't quite bounce his way early on, with injuries and gaining full confidence, but he continued to fight his tail off and we saw the good results this past year. We're very excited about his future and how he's attacked the offseason again."

Kirkpatrick played in every game last season and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.

Zeitler has been the team's starting right guard all three seasons with the club.