Texans Will Look To The Future Of Cornerback In The Draft
By Travis Oquin
Sep 27, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Marcus Peters (21) intercepts the ball intended for Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7) during the second half at Husky Stadium. Stanford defeated Washington 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Peters (1st – 2nd round) – 6’0”, 193 – Washington
Kevin Johnson (1st – 2nd round) – 6’0”, 188 – Wake Forest
Much like when we looked at wide receivers, I’m including two players together that have the ability to start as rookies. Trae Waynes, who most feel is the top corner in the draft should be gone before the Texans pick at 16 as it’s said that he’s not likely to get past the Vikings at 11.
I also believe that the only way the Texans take a cornerback in the 1st round is if other targets are gone and it’s simply the best player available and attempts to move back have failed.
At 16, taking either Marcus Peters or Kevin Johnson is a little rich for me, but neither are likely to be there when the Texans select in the 2nd round at 51. So to get them, the Texans can select at 16, trade back in the first round or trade up in the 2nd round.
On some mocks you will see corner Jalen Collins from LSU possibly ahead of these two. Don’t let the hype fool you. Peters and Johnson are both better cornerbacks and have shown it on the field and will most likely be better NFL players.
Marcus Peters could potentially be best corner in the draft, although he’s not necessarily the most elite in his measurables. Peters turned in a 4.53 40 at the combine and a 37.5 inch vertical.
He’s has good size for a corner and is extremely quick and fluid. He has natural hips, shadows the receiver and changes direction with ease. Peters doesn’t back down from a challenge, stays in the hip pocket and will go up and fight for the ball. He very often makes plays on the ball and will get a hand on it or come away with the interception.
Peters isn’t going higher in the first round due to an issue at Washington. Peters had an outburst on the sidelines during a game and was ultimately dismissed from the team. Although it is interesting that Peter’s teammates have spoken out in his defense about the way the coaching staff dealt with him.
So is Peters a little immature? Perhaps, but another player that has repeatedly shown immaturity is being rumored to go #1 at a much more critical position of quarterback. And it’s said in the NFL the farther away you get from center the less you have to be concerned with character issues.
Could Peters be a bit of a diva? Yes, but we’ve seen a number of players particularly at corner and wide receiver that were divas but still had very productive, if not exceptional careers. And generally speaking the very best corners have a little edge to them.
You’d have to do a thorough evaluation of Peters off the field and we know the Texans reputation when it comes to that, but at some point the team has to look at the talent first and foremost. The Texans are scheduled to meet with Peters.
Here is Marcus Peters in 2013 against Oregon State, going head-to-head for the most part against 2014 first-round pick, Brandin Cooks.
Nov 2, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons cornerback Kevin Johnson (9) warms up prior to a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Johnson is another player that already looks like a starting corner in the NFL. He excels in press man coverage and loves to get physical with the receivers. Johnson stays tight with receivers in coverage and is very aggressive. He will also come up and hit people hard and defend the run as well.
Here Kevin Johnson takes on Clemson in 2014.
Johnson is another player that plays with a little chip on his shoulder and does show his emotion at times. I like that from a corner. It’s the one position I’d like to see a little more attitude on this team if the player has the game to back it up.
Johnson is a very good athlete and ran a 4.52 in the 40 at the combine with an outstanding 6.79 in the 3-cone drill and a 41.5 inch vertical jump.
If anything Johnson’s potential weakness is getting his hands on the receiver a little too much and has been flagged quite a bit for it. Johnson is slow to turn and locate the ball and that has impacted his penalties as well.
But the ability is there with a tough aggressive cornerback and ideally the rest can be coached. Johnson was also a gunner on punt coverage and will add to his value to an NFL team with that aspect of his game.
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