The Texans desperately need help at cornerback. Jonathan Joseph is aging, Kareem Jackson is a free-agent slot cornerback/safety, Aaron Colvin is a slot corner, and Kevin Johnson is widely regarded as a bust.

The cornerbacks’ zone coverage was constantly exposed, and even head coach Bill O’Brien has called for more man coverage cornerbacks. That being said, this list has an emphasis on man coverage cornerbacks. While top prospects Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy aren’t mentioned due to the Texans draft status.

DeAndre Baker – Georgia

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 180 lbs

Strengths:

sticky man coverage corner, aggressive but takes smart angles

physical and willing tackler

excellent ball anticipation

excels in Tampa 2/Cover 2 zone coverage

plays the ball aggressively

physical and quick feet in press coverage

can shadow and anticipate various different routes

can mirror top wide receivers due to high IQ

strong competitor

Weaknesses:

size

lack of explosiveness

deep speed

tight hips

lack of power/length shows in run support

Round projection: 1st round

Trayvon Mullen – Clemson

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 190 lbs

Strengths:

length and physicality

aggressive tackler

effective punch and jam while pressing

good mirror off the release

good closing speed

excellent ball skills

forces players out of bounds

has a knack for showing up in big games

Weaknesses:

lacks quickness/long stride runner

is a very grabby cornerback

not an outstanding athlete

tight hips

scary recovery time

Round projection: 1st-2nd round

Amani Oruwariye – Penn State

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 205 lbs

Strengths:

size

excellent ball skills

uses his size and length to effectively mirror receivers

physical and balanced while playing press coverage

excels in zone coverage; knows how to read lane and quarterback

good anticipation in zone coverage

fast and has the extra gear to stay with the faster receivers

developed foot technique and backpedal

powerful hands that throw off receivers in press coverage

good body control

Weaknesses:

lacks quickness

timid tackler

aggressiveness in coverage doesn’t translate to run support

can give up leverage while backpedaling due to subpar quickness

Round projection: 1st-2nd round

Julian Love – Notre Dame

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 195 lbs

Strengths:

quick feet help him mirror receivers in man coverage

quick thinker

uses hands well to redirect receivers

explosive when attacking from underneath coverage

plus instincts and anticipation

one of the best off coverage corners in the draft

excellent deep speed

great at reading quarterbacks in zone coverage

Weaknesses:

not the biggest or fastest cornerback

arm length

can be too aggressive in press coverage

aggressiveness leaves him susceptible to double-moves

backpedal to forward movement is a little sloppy

needs to work on his hands in press coverage

recovery skills need work

Round projection: 2nd round

Bryce Hall – Virginia

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 200 lbs

Strengths:

great size and length

change of direction is sharp and quick

explosive burst

good transition out of backpedaling

competitive on catch points

excellent recovery speed

play strength helps pin receivers to the sideline

holds his own in man coverage

growing zone coverage skills

Weaknesses:

allows too much cushion in off coverage

limited press coverage tape

doesn’t use his plus size while tackling

route anticipation needs work

still learning how to play cornerback, switched over from wide receiver in 2016

Round projection: 2nd-3rd round

Kris Boyd – Texas

Height: 6′

Weight: 195 lbs

Strengths:

good timing and anticipation to combat throws in zone coverage

strong punch in press coverage

anticipates developing routes well

good ability to recover if beat

physical in man coverage

does well in either short or deep zone coverage

very aggressive tackler will blow up runs and screens

physical in run support, that will translate well to special teams

big, developed frame

competitive

uses his hands to maintain good leverage

plays receivers hands while contesting catches

Weaknesses:

average athlete

tight hips

doesn’t have deep speed

footwork needs developing

a slow transition from backpedaling to turning forward

Round projection: 3rd-5th round

Blace Brown – Troy

Height: 6′

Weight: 190 lbs

Strengths:

good instincts and timing in coverage

willing tackler

ball-hawk, high school receiver

quick feet

fast, will not get burnt on speed alone

best suited in deep zone coverage

good mirror off the release

route anticipation is good

plays the ball in the air

played a key role in Troy’s biggest upset in school history (over LSU)

stays close to receivers, yet double-moves will not give him fits



Weaknesses:

lanky frame

backpedal technique needs work

played against weaker competition in the Sun-Belt

needs to be more physical in press coverage

won’t offer much in terms of block shedding

Round projection: 3rd-5th round

Derrick Baity – Kentucky

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 187 lbs

Strengths:

tall frame

excellent body control

good technique and patience in press coverage

excels in cover 2

has the speed to run with fast receivers

punishing tackler

quick movements

quick thinker

has played in multiple coverage schemes well

uses his length to disrupt catches

good route anticipation

Weaknesses:

needs to add weight to his frame

is susceptible to being ‘mossed’ due to poor vertical ball skills

doesn’t offer much in run support

poor ball skills

slow transitions

not explosive in underneath coverage

Round projection: 3rd-5th round

Rock Ya-Sin – Temple

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 190 lbs

Strengths:

length and size helps him stay physical in man coverage

patient footwork in press coverage

flexible with loose hips

good one on one tackler

very physical

good body control

aggressive in off-man coverage

solid burst and deep speed

plays the ball well due to his length and good leaping ability

Weaknesses

far from a developed product

doesn’t have much zone coverage tape

struggles in catching

passive hands

change of direction could be a liability

takes long strides



Round projection: 3rd-5th round

Isaiah Johnson – Houston

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 195 lbs

Strengths:

excellent size

uses his frame to deny receivers outside leverage

first to initiate contact with hands

athletic; will be a combine stud

uses his frame well while tackling

loose hips despite his size

best in man coverage, the combination of size and fluidity work well

cover 3 zone coverage corner due to size and leaping abilities

disciplined eyes

Weaknesses:

poor ball skills despite wide receiver background

limited cover 2 zone tape

poor footwork

needs to be more physical in press coverage

has only played cornerback for two years

takes poor angles while tackling

Round projection: 4th-6th round

-Avery Duncan