Green Bay Packers 2017 roster: Breaking down the cornerbacks
By Dan Dahlke
Locks – Kevin King (6-3, 200), Davon House (6-1, 195)
The Packers seem to have their two starting perimeter corners set for the season. House and King give the defense tall physical defenders on the outside to match up against the top receivers in the NFL.
It was something they were desperately missing last year. Both Randall and Rollins were miscast in such a role and struggled throughout the season.
After spending two years in Jacksonville, House has returned to Green Bay and now is the elders statesman of the group. He brings toughness, experience, and leadership to the cornerback position.
House fell out of favor with coaches last year after the Jaguars moved to a zone scheme on defense, which didn’t suit his strengths. However, his 2015 season was a Pro Bowl-caliber effort.
As a press-man cover corner and his first year as a starter House recorded 60 tackles, 23 pass defensed, and four interceptions. If he can even bring remotely the same production to the Packers defense this season then he’d be a major upgrade from last year.
While House is an adequate athlete who wins with technique and physical play, King possesses incredible athleticism and will have to rely on it until he polishes his game.
In fact, King is a rare athlete and the type of player the Packers haven’t had in their secondary before. With his combination of size and rare workout numbers, King tested in the 99% athletically for the position this past spring.
At the NFL Combine, King posted the fastest times among all defensive backs in the short shuttle (3.89) and three-cone drill (6.56), while also recording a respectable 4.43 forty time and the fourth highest vertical (39.5 inches).
At Washington, the 22-year-old also made plenty of plays as a three-year starter. In that time he recorded six interceptions, 21 pass breakups, and 148 tackles.
However, King can get over aggressive at times and sacrifice technique in order to make a play, which can lead him to get beat in coverage. He’ll have to be more careful about this in the pros.