Packers 2017 Draft: Ups and downs of drafting Kevin King
So, 23 hours later, the Packers put to rest all rumors of trading their 33rd pick down to a quarterback-needy team by selecting the University of Washington’s towering cornerback Kevin King, who at 6-foot-3 with 32-inch arms offers a rare combination of elite size and speed on the backend.
What King brings to the table is his ability to fly to the ball in off-man coverage along with the ability to sniff our routes and step in front of his man to disrupt passes.
Yes, the man has mad ball skills. He can track it and makes great use of his long limbs to reach for balls outside his frame.
But the one thing to really appreciate about the former Husky is a trait that was lacking in former first-round pick Damarious Randall last season, and that’s toughness.
The Oakland native isn’t afraid of giving up his body while going for a ball carrier’s ankles on running plays.
Where King needs to refine his game is in his technique in press coverage, where he was susceptible to giving up inside leverage to opposing pass catchers. In particular, the All Pac-12 honorable mention was victimized on several crossing/in-breaking routes.
Similarly, the second-round pick will need to show more efficiency in his footwork, as evidenced by the tendency to take extra steps when backpedaling.
If one were to compare him to a current or former cornerback, King looks to have a lot in common with journeyman Antonio Cromartie.
During the early part of his career as a San Diego Charger, Cromartie showed a lot of promise as a boundary defender that could match up with bigger receivers. Where he struggled mightily was in covering smaller, shiftier players.
King can be a little stiff in the hips, which isn’t unusual in taller cover men. However, the Packers undoubtedly know this and certainly didn’t pick him to cover the Julian Edelmans and Danny Amendolas of the world.
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The instinctive defensive back will be expected to line up against Julio Jones, Dez Bryant and guys like Marvin Jones…the same Marvin Jones that lit up Randall like a Roman candle in Week 3.
King has the tools to body up on those types of receivers and reduce their space by driving them toward the sideline marker.
Unlike Cromartie, King, as previously referenced, loves to come down and support the run. In fact, as a collegian, he did a tremendous job of shedding blocks while running toward the line of scrimmage.
The fact that he played some safety in 2014 probably doesn’t hurt in that regard.
What’s more, this tall drink of water features the added element of awareness to come off his man and run towards the ball both versus the run and the pass.
The Packers defensive coaches have their work cut out for them in improving King’s footwork and overall press-man coverage technique, but that’s all stuff that can be taught. His size, speed, range and ball-tracking skills, on the other hand, are attributes that one is blessed with and that can’t be acquired at your local Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Overall, this was a solid choice for the Packers in that it now allows them to line up two big, physical press corners on the outside while letting the combination of Randall and Quinten Rollins fight things out for the slot role.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Best players still available entering Day 3
Yes, there is reason to be hopeful with King in the second round. Long live the King!