Conley quickly finding place in secondary
Third-year corner showing knack for breaking up passes
Texans cornerback Gareon Conley keeps growing in confidence as his knowledge of the playbook expands.
Since being traded from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a third-round draft pick, Conley is visibly more comfortable in the Texans’ man-oriented coverage schemes.
The 2017 first-round draft pick from Ohio State has delivered a key pass breakup in each of his two games with the AFC South leaders.
The Texans beat Conley’s former team as he broke up a long pass intended for big Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams. He had another pass breakup in a win over the Jaguars in London, wrestling the football away from D.J. Chark on a deep route.
“I feel good. Just getting more comfortable with the defense,” Conley said. “It’s just about gaining confidence and playing with each other and them playing with me. Because I’m a new guy, communication has to be at an alltime high.
“It’s always exciting to win. I feel like just a new start, fresh start allowed me to be a part of the team and feel welcome. That’s what it’s about for me.”
Conley has played 121 defensive snaps for the Texans, recording 12 tackles and deflecting four passes. He led them with eight tackles against Jacksonville.
Overall, Conley has allowed nine catches for 136 yards and one touchdown on 18 passes thrown in his direction, according to Pro Football Focus. He has a 93.7 passer rating in coverage with the Texans. That’s a 36.9 coverage rating improvement from his time with the Raiders earlier this season.
“I feel really good about Gareon,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a smooth player. He’s an instinctive player. I think any time you come in in the middle of the year and into a new team, new environment, you’re moving. There’s a lot of different things that go on.
“It’s not easy to be traded. He’s a good guy. He’s a quiet guy. He works hard. He’s a good learner, and he’s a good football player.”
The addition of Conley gives the Texans a 6-foot, 195-pound corner with 4.44 speed in the 40yard dash.
So far, Conley is off to a good start with his new team.
“He’s played well,” secondary coach Anthony Midget said. “Coming in from the Raiders, had that emotional week where he had to play the Raiders. Came back (against Jacksonville), had a really good game, competed.
“He’s working hard. He’s a smart kid. He’s dependable, and he’s doing a good job for us.”
In one-on-one situations, Conley has displayed an ability to elevate against tall receivers and muscle the football away from them.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to finish,” Conley said. “There’s always levels of contact. You have to finish. You have to do everything you can to get that ball.”