Packers 2020 roster preview: Kevin King enters contract year
Kevin King is entering an important contract year.
When healthy, Kevin King has been a solid starting cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers had a strong starting pair on the outside last season with King and Jaire Alexander. King consistently made game-changing plays to help the Packers win close games.
But he now enters the final year on his current deal.
2019 stats
King played in 15 games in the regular season, starting 14 of them. He led the Packers in interceptions with five, while also defending 15 passes, forcing a fumble, and making a sack.
2019 review
Overall, it was a solid season for King. While he did get beat by receivers on occasion, he made up for it by defending 15 passes and also making five crucial interceptions, many of which came at key moments in games.
The Packers defense was great at coming up with takeaways last season and King was one of the main reasons why.
He picked off Kirk Cousins in the end zone to save a potential game-winning touchdown by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. The Packers held onto win the game. He then intercepted Cousins again in the second meeting between the two teams, this time setting up a touchdown when the Packers trailed by just one point.
King also made important interceptions in wins against the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, and New York Giants.
Odds of making roster: 100 percent
King is an important starter in the secondary and will be playing for a new contract this season.
What to expect in 2020?
This is a big year for King. He missed 17 regular-season games in his first two years in the league but bounced back last season with 14 starts. He played through injury at times but still put in strong performances on the field.
The Packers have big decisions to make over the next 10 months or so with King, Aaron Jones, Kenny Clark, David Bakhtiari, and Corey Linsley all set to become free agents in the offseason. Re-signing Clark and Bakhtiari should be the priority for GM Brian Gutekunst, but King can give the Packers no choice but to give him a long-term extension with another strong season.
If King can keep forcing turnovers and making key plays as he did in 2019, this defense should again be strong against the pass.