In 2019, Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King finally stayed healthy, allowing him to play in 15 of 16 regular season games after missing 17 of 32 games during his first two seasons. The Packers’ top pick in 2017 used his rare physical gifts to produce a breakout season, highlighted by career-highs in interceptions (five) and pass breakups (15).
Now, King must achieve a greater level of consistency to take the next step as an all-around corner, especially as he enters a contract year.
Last season, King produced six games with a coverage grade at Pro Football Focus over 70.0 and five games with a coverage grade under 50.0. The variance in his play week-to-week led to an ordinary overall season grade that settled in at 62.5, which ranked 47th in the NFL among the 84 cornerbacks that played at least 50 percent of snaps.
For comparison, Tramon Williams (82.2, sixth) and Jaire Alexander (76.7, 10th) both finished in the top 10 among cornerbacks.
PFF credited King with allowing 53 catches on 88 targets for 904 yards and four touchdowns. However, he allowed 34 catches and 620 yards in just six of his 15 games, including five that were among his lowest-graded single games.
During five other games, King gave up fewer than 20 passing yards on throws into his coverage. Eight times, he gave up an opposing passer rating under 60.0 against his coverage. There’s little doubt that he can play at a high level.
And to be fair, all cornerbacks have bad days. It’s a ruthless position and no player is perfect. Corners are going to get beat, sometimes for big plays. It happens.
King, while tall and fast, does struggle occasionally with quickness, especially on in-breaking routes when he can’t leverage his size with the help of the sideline. Some matchups just won’t be favorable for him.
However, if King can smooth out some of the edges and become a more consistent player week-to-week in 2020, he’ll take a big step towards becoming a top corner and establishing his individual value, both in Green Bay and as a potential free agent in 2021.
Corners with King’s combination of size and athleticism don’t grow on trees. Despite significant injury issues during his first two seasons, King bounced back in 2019, avoiding a major injury situation and showing everyone in the football world that he can be a legitimate playmaker. King finished last season as one of only five players with at least five interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
Consistency is often the biggest hurdle for a young, talented player. King has proven he can get the job done, often at a high level, but now he must prove he can do it every single week and against all types of receivers.
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