Nickel CB Face Off - Kevin Johnson vs Kevin White

Here are two CBs who could be prospects as new nickelbacks for the black and gold. Both are undersized (Johnson with weight and White with height). That's why I compared them. They both project as 2-4 rounders imo. Hopefully they will be the second cornerback chosen by us come draft time. I definitely would like a bigger corner (Rollins, Waynes in 1st or Carter, Collins in 2nd). These are just two of the prospects that could complement that earlier selection.


Kevin Johnson CB Wake Forest 6’1” 175lbs
33 PBUs and 7 INTs on his career
Good height at 6’1 but definitely is on the leaner side. Added 20lbs since coming to college. Obviously not a big hitter, but will get the ball carrier down. Has not missed a game due to injury in 41 games.
Great mobility, with light feet and good hips to turn and cover. Nice focus when ball is in the air.
Limited action as a punt returner.
http://draftbreakdown.com/video/kevin-johnson-vs-clemson-2014/
Clip from Clemson shows some of the pros and cons. Shows nice anticipation on the interception, but later he bites on the double move and is forced to hold the WR. Turns and runs with the receiver nicely on another pass leading to an incompletion. Not much footage on run support as it mostly shows the WR screens. Has a nice tackle on one and so so on the other. Sets the edge on one sweep but is lost in contact on another.
Overall I think he is best suited for the nickel and can match up on TEs with his height. Seems to play too upright imo and gets knocked down easily on run support. Needs to get in a better “football” position to take on the traffic. But if you’re relying on your nickel guy to constantly defend the run there are other issues. His strengths definitely are in pass defense.

Kevin White CB TCU 5’9” 180lbs
29 PBUs and 6 INTs for his career
Smaller corner with good feet, hips and change of direction. Competes for the ball when it’s in the air.
Again no lost time due to injury, starting in all games the last two years and playing in all the games the years previously.
http://draftbreakdown.com/video/kevin-white-vs-west-virginia-2014/
West Virginia tape doesn’t show too much. Most of the passes to the other Kevin White were overthrown, but he was in very good position to contest the catch if they were closer. Not afraid to stick his nose in their on run support.
http://draftbreakdown.com/video/kevin-white-vs-baylor-2014-2/
Baylor tape shows some dings. He’s late on a run read, doesn’t break down on a WR in the open field and misses a tackle, gets taken for a TD by a long ball. But he does show some anticipation and great focus on an interception. Then has a nice form tackle on a WR screen. Then has a meltdown in the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] qrtr. Misses a tackle, gets 2 PI calls with one pass going for a TD (second call was questionable imo but clearly beaten).
Overall he seemed to be in good position to defend the pass and is not afraid to throw himself in there on run support. Definitely a nickel/dime guy who can’t handle the big guys as the #1 or 2 corner, but has the mobility to cover the slot WRs.

Between the two I like Kevin Johnson a little better as his flaws seem more easily corrected with coaching. I like the durability and movement of both of these guys though and Kevin White had a nice showing in the Senior Bowl fwiw.

 

Seeing a lot more mocks with Kevin Johnson as our #1 pick. With this earlier post, I thought he'd be our nickel corner, but if the staff feels he can start on the outside than they would know better than me.

Here's a write up that covers his good and bad. From a Bills site.

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/20...ospect-to-watch-kevin-johnson-cb-wake-forest/

 

kevin Johnson will go in first or first few picks in second

 

Yeah, Johnson is definitely an outside corner. I'd be thrilled if he were the pick. Idk much about White, except that he had a really good game agains WVU Kevin White. He seems like a guy who would be a solid pick up in round 3-4.

If we could nab a good corner this draft (either inside or out), it would make our defense a lot better really quickly

 

I am growing a little more used to the idea of Kevin Johnson in the first if the top five edge rushers and Waynes are off the table. I'm also growing more attached to the idea of Ifo in the third to go with him. If we're going to double dip, thats the way to do it. If the first two days went Johnson, Kikiha, Ifo, they could use the entire third day to build up the offense (lineman, rb, te, maybe a wr, someone to back up Landry Jones, a punter....)

 

I like this idea. I could even see a safety thrown in the first three picks as well if we fall in love with someone (Collins, Harris) Ifo would be a steal in the third... I hope he makes it to us by then.

 

I'm growing more comfortable with Kevin Johnson as our pick every day, and it's also seeming more and more likely. No one has much of a knock on him except his weight, and I just don't care about that.

 

i'd have no problem with johnson, kikaha, rowe 123. i wouldn't even mind OO, byron jones, rowe. i think rowe could be a good FS and if needed could move to corner. even dupree, jones, rowe. several combinations would work. grant or nelson or carter may work as corners also. we definately should be able to get some quality.