Phillip Gaines has met with Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals realize that cornerback is a position they need to address early in the NFL Draft, and have already met with Darqueze Dennard, Kyle Fuller and Jason Verrett. Those are three of the top five CB prospects in this year's draft, a pretty good indicator that CB is their no. 1 position of need heading into the draft.

Depending on who's rankings you look at, those three - along with Rice's Phillip Gaines - are among the top 5 CB prospects in this year's class.

Speaking of Gaines, the Bengals had a private workout with him in March, who some believe could sneak into the end of the first round.

Via his school website, Gaines allowed only 13 receptions in 2013 while being targeted 40 times. He also had 13 passes defended and 4 interceptions.

Behind the Steel Curtain did a fantastic breakdown of Gaines, who looks like someone both the Steelers and Bengals could target early in this year's draft. NFL Draft Scout ranks Gaines as the 62nd overall prospect, and he could be a target for Cincinnati at pick No. 55.