Kevin Johnson - Houston Texans' first round (#16 overall) pick in 2015 NFL Draft

Yeah, I think that if...

Wait, what?

 

In today's NFL you need three good to elite cover guys because base packages are becoming nickel packages. If KJ was lining up to be put on the outside then top end speed could be a factor. If he is lining up inside, then his overall body control, technique, and footwork become more important.

Taking away the short to intermediate routes only leaves a QB with longer developing and lower percentage plays over the top. I am not seeing KJ as Joseph's replacement but just as another piece to building a complete defense. The Texans likely go after a corner with long speed early next year or later in this draft as a developmental project.

 

One post. I've referenced his feet and short range quickness quite a bit. That 4.4 time statement was a long story short summary of an article that analyzed the historical performance from 2001 forward of cornerbacks. Becoming an elite cover CB is pretty difficult for a guy with a time over 4.44 and is almost unheard of for a guy at over 4.5. Sherman is the exception, one I mentioned in my initial analysis.

But don't misunderstand me to say "bad pick, bust of a player" just because I don't see "elite cover CB."

 

I just think the analysis is flawed in that there are very few "elite" corners in the league but 2 of them right now ran >4.5 40 times. 2 might sound like a small number, but when looking at only the elite CB's in the NFL, it makes up a significant sample.

 

Who are the 2 that you say are elite?

 

Richard Sherman and Joe Haden are widely considered elite QB's, neither ran faster than 4.5

 

Forgot Joe Haden.

I'd like to read the PFF articles on him, but assuming he is "elite" then there are two exceptions (both of whom by the way were noted in the article I linked to). There was a 3rd guy mentioned as the exception, but he excelled as a safety, not a CB.

 

And Haden actually has a similar frame to Kevin Johnson. Not saying that he will be Haden, but it is possible.

 

Let me ask you this...do you think Darrelle Revis still runs the 4.38 that he ran out of college? My guess is that he's no faster than a 4.5 currently.

Aqib Talib - 4.44
Brent Grimes - 4.55
Tramaine Brock - 4.54 avg of 3 runs
Brandon Boykin - 4.44
Alterraun Verner - 4.52
Joe Haden - 4.57

These are probably 6 of the top 10 or so CBs in the game.

Joe Haden is a stud and he almost pushed 4.6 seconds.

There are plenty of examples of both fast and slow CBs...but technique, quickness, and feet/hips are the most important components to being successful as a lock down defender.

 

2 exceptions in the tiny group of "elite" corners.....that's fairly significant, no?

 

It's obvious Texans pay absolutely no attention to mock drafts and the released draft boards. It's also obvious the media and other teams have no idea who the Texans are looking at drafting. Even the players that they do draft don't know that the Texans are looking at drafting them lol

 

2 exceptions in the current set is certainly significant. Those two exceptions were 2 of the 3 exceptions since 2001 that were noted though, not just currently in the league.

 

I saw several mocks with Johnson to the Texans

 

There were at least 2, and John McClain had said on the radio as recently as Wednesday that Johnson or Erving could be the guy. (He ultimately went with Erving.)

He was pretty much a consensus top 18 pick. I don't think he's a reach at all.

 

Yeah but it was far from the majority.

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...favorite/c369f1ab-7b06-4e31-af16-739975e001c7

I saw several mocks that also had him in the 2nd round.

 

delete

 

Yeah they're all over the place because no one actually knows what teams actually want haha

 

Actually, justxyank did talk about Johnson's quickness and referenced his 20:

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=9729890&postcount=95

 

I don't like the pick at 16.

 

Except Lance Z, apparently. He called it the night before.