Darqueze Dennard got the fifth year.

The Bengals went defense for the first time this draft Friday night when they grabbed Kansas State defensive end Jordan Willis in the third round.

Willis, who the Bengals had going in the second round, fits the club's M.O. on defense seeking leadership, experience,  and production. A team captain and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the 6-3, 255-pound Willis is massively quick with a 4.57 40-yard dash and is third in school history with 26 career sacks, 11.5 of them this past season.

QUEZ GETS THE FIFTH: The Bengals have decided to exercise the fifth-year option on cornerback Darqueze Dennard, their first-round pick from 2014.

Although Dennard has played just 582 snaps in his three seasons because of a stacked depth chart and injuries, the Bengals still view him like they did when they drafted him and he's going to be in the mix to play the slot when spring ball opens a month from now.