It’s not a Bouye or bust scenario
Should CB leave, NFL draft class deep in options
INDIANAPOLIS — The Texans are making every effort to re-sign cornerback A.J. Bouye before free agency begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, but if forced to replace him, they are fortunate this is a deep draft at his position.
General manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O’Brien said at the NFL scouting combine they want Bouye back. They should hope for the best and expect the worst because some teams have obscene amounts of salary-cap space and a desperate need for a veteran cornerback.
If they’re able to re-sign Bouye, 25, the Texans again will have one of the best groups of cornerbacks in the NFL. Bouye, Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson and Kevin Johnson would mean the Texans are loaded at a
position crucial to the success or failure of a defense.
In 2016, the Texans finished first in defense, won the AFC South for the second consecutive year and defeated Oakland in the playoffs before losing at New England. The defense played a more important role than the offense in the team’s success.
Getting back Johnson will be huge for the defense. Last season he missed 12 games with a foot injury. His return will strengthen a position that could be one of the league’s strongest if Bouye stays.
Johnson’s injury, not to mention injuries to Jackson and Joseph that caused them to miss a combined five games, allowed Bouye to excel in his third season.
He played so well he’ll be pursued by a lot of teams if he becomes available in free agency. If Bouye signs with another team, Smith can replace him in free agency or wait until the draft.
Pool is deep this year
With one day left in the combine for defensive back drills, there are at least 17 cornerbacks rated as worthy of being drafted in the first three rounds, including eight in the first round.
The last five drafts saw an average of 12 corners drafted in the first three rounds, including 14 last year — five in the first, four in the second and five in the third.
In 2015, there were 14 taken in the first three rounds. In 2014, there were nine, down from 16 in 2013. In 2012, there were nine.
There’s a long way to go in the scouting process, including pro days and private workouts, but the
picture is clearer.
Because there’s so much depth at corner, some teams might wait to select one later rather than sooner while trying to fill other needs in premium rounds.
That could be good news for the Texans.
Texans pick 25th
The Texans have the 25th pick in the first round. Their biggest needs are quarterback and right tackle.
If they lose Bouye, it’s doubtful they’d take a corner in the first two rounds because of depth at that position.
Smith has shown whether it’s in the draft, via free agency or with undrafted free agents, he likes to stockpile cornerbacks. It won’t be surprising if he chooses a cornerback in a later round even if he does re-sign Bouye.
No matter where he ends up, there’s one thing we know about Bouye: He’s going to get a nice raise from the $1.67 million he earned last season, at least $10 million more per season. And he’s earned it.
We should all be so lucky, huh?