Dan Pompei: Stephon Gilmore Could Be A Top 10 Selection

Though the Cincinnati Bengals haven't reportedly shown interest in South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, there are those that believe that if the team selects a cornerback in the first round, Gilmore could be one of two players Cincinnati would select. However unlike Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick, Gilmore has yet to reportedly visit with the Bengals during predraft visits (which could change at any moment). But the question is, would Gilmore even be available.

According to Dan Pompei's weekly Sunday Blitz on the National Football Post, the 21-year old cornerback could be a top 10 pick later this month.

One of the players who has risen the most in recent weeks is South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore. At one point he was considered the third cornerback behind Dre Kirkpatrick. Now he not only has passed Kirkpatrick, but he also has risen to the point where he could be a top 10 pick. Gilmore worked out well at the combine, has all the qualities teams look for in a cornerback and is relatively clean. There is no reason for him not to be chosen pretty high.

Reports have the Bengals only hosting one cornerback during predraft visits, with Kirkpatrick hanging out last week. In truth that's a fool-proof indicator on whom the team could select. For example the Bengals hosted and conducted a private workout with only three players last year -- wide receiver A.J. Green, quarterback Andy Dalton and cornerback Korey Lindsey. And most of the prospect chart is filled in by reported visits and workouts, and not all are reported.

Despite the fact Cincinnati signed three free agent cornerbacks, we still have the team tabbed with a first-round cornerback while guys like Brandon Ghee, Adam Jones and even Terence Newman will be jockeying for a spot on the crowded cornerback roster.