Tag: Tavierre Thomas

Bucs WR Mike Evans was ready to step up for the Bucs defense against Commanders

The majority of their injuries have come in the secondary and the team is scrambling to figure out coverage in the area.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been riddled with injuries through the first week and a half of the season. The majority of their injuries have come in the secondary, and the team is scrambling to figure out coverage in that area.

On Sunday, Mike Evans was willing to step up if need be.

During media availability on Wednesday, Tavierre Thomas told Jenna Laine of ESPN that Mike Evans had offered to step up and play cornerback for the Bucs against the Commanders. His main argument for making the move? He played cornerback in the Pro Bowl during flag football.

Best part of his time at cornerback? He actually made an interception against Deshaun Watson.

While it isn’t likely we will ever see Mike Evans as a cornerback, we have seen talented wide receivers play other roles. In the preseason a few years ago, we saw Chad Johnson kick a field goal for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he was successful.

Perhaps in another life, Evans could have been a cornerback. He will have to settle for a Hall of Fame career as a wide receiver.

Who will the Bucs play at nickel cornerback?

The Buccaneers face a three-way battle for the starting nickel cornerback position.

Nickel cornerback has become a de facto starting position in the modern NFL. It is also one of the few positions on the Buccaneers’ roster that is up for grabs heading into the 2024 season. While last year’s starter, undrafted rookie Christian Izien, is returning, he faces much more competition this year thanks to several additions Tampa Bay made this offseason.

Izien was one of the bigger surprises among the Bucs’ considerable rookie class last season. He was entrusted with the starting nickel role from Week 1 and played more snaps (780) than any Bucs defensive rookie in 2024, including first-round pick Calijah Kancey.

While Izien was not perfect in coverage, he was a more than adequate starter both in coverage and run support. He caught two interceptions and recorded 65 total tackles, including three tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles, during the season. Izien also played in every game last season.

It might not have surprised anyone if the Bucs opted to roll into 2024 with Izien slotted in as the undisputed nickel corner. That is not what Tampa Bay appears to be doing.

Tampa Bay added two players this offseason who are in line to compete for the nickel spot. First, they signed former Houston Texans CB Tavierre Thomas. Then the Bucs took Georgia safety Tykee Smith in the third round of this year’s draft.

Thomas was Houston’s slot corner the past three seasons. At 5’10” and 202 pounds, he is a little bigger and longer than Izien, though that should not suggest Thomas is more durable. Thomas has landed on injured reserve in each of the last two seasons.

When healthy, Thomas is a solid defender. From 2021 to 2022, Thomas allowed just 4.1 pass yards per target and a 59.7% reception rate. These figures ticked up to 8.5 yards per target and an 82.1% catch rate in 2023, though injuries might have contributed to his diminished production.

Thomas’ main advantage over Izien is his experience, having six seasons in the NFL under his belt. What is most likely to play against him is his recent injury troubles, which could cede the nickel position by default. Thomas is also signed to a one-year veteran-minimum contract, which effectively makes this season a tryout rather than a long-term commitment.

Tykee Smith enjoys a bit more security as a 2024 third-round pick. A solid defender dating back to his two years with West Virginia, Smith broke out in 2024, nabbing four interceptions and recording two sacks. His main weakness is tackling as he missed 14.8% of his tackles as a Bulldog.

The nickel competition has all the makings of a tight battle. Smith and Thomas are nearly the same size and are both a little bigger than Izien, but Izien is the better athlete among the trio. Izien also has the edge when it comes to familiarity with Todd Bowles’ defense.

As a rookie, Smith has the biggest hill to climb to win the starting job but should factor in as a rotational player. The battle should come down to Izien and Thomas. If Izien can take a step in his development, he should be able to retain his starting position. Thomas still has a window to slide into the role, but his ability to remain on the field will be paramount.

Bucs sign free agent CB Tavierre Thomas

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to bolster their depth in the secondary with another veteran addition in Tavierre Thomas

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added more depth to their secondary Monday, signing free agent cornerback Tavierre Thomas.

An undrafted free agent out of Ferris State in 2018, Thomas started his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, then spent three years with the Cleveland Browns. Over the past three seasons, he’s served primarily as a slot corner for the Houston Texans.

The Bucs already have their starting slot corner in Christian Izien, who was a pleasant surprise as an undrafted free agent himself last year as a rookie. Thomas will provide some quality depth and experience behind Izien, bolstering the entire defensive backfield and also contributing on special teams.

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Texans place CB Tavierre Thomas on injured reserve

The Houston Texans have placed CB Tavierre Thomas on injured reserve for Week 15.

The Houston Texans’ secondary continues to take attrition.

The Texans placed cornerback Tavierre Thomas on injured reserve Saturday as the team makes preparations for Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.

The 27-year-old from Ferris State generated 51 combined tackles with two tackles for loss along with two forced fumbles and a pass breakup through nine games, five of which he started.

Houston also declared receiver Steven Sims and linebacker Garret Wallow as their standard elevations from the practice squad.

The Texans also activated kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn from injured reserve, ensuring the former Lou Groza Award winner will be able to go against the Titans.

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CB Desmond King sees rejoining Texans as ‘fresh start’

In returning to the Houston Texans, cornerback Desmond King sees a fresh start in a familiar place.

As Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas sat down at his locker, he was greeted by an old friend who didn’t speak a word. He just gave Thomas a look, and both men erupted in laughter, keeping the reporters in attendance in suspense, wondering what the inside joke was all about.

That camaraderie was something that Thomas had missed after defensive back Desmond King was surprisingly cut at the conclusion of training camp this past summer after spending the prior two seasons with the Texans. The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly added him to their roster, hoping to use his unique skill set to help them get through the rough AFC North, but after three games, including one against the Texans, the Steelers released him.

King, 28, went to San Diego, California, to train and keep himself in shape while spending time with his one-year-old daughter. When that call came from his agent that Houston wanted to sign him to the practice squad and bring him back home, King was ready to come back to the franchise, where he started 25 of 33 games, recording 182 tackles and five interceptions.

“I am excited to be back,” King said after practice on Wednesday. “That’s all that matters. Giving me a second chance here to come back and be with the family; I missed these guys so much. Just to see them doing well, it’s good to be back in a good presence with them.

“I feel like this is an opportunity for me just to come out here and play ball. Not to think too much about it and come here with a clear mind. Like I have said before, this is a fresh start; just go in and do what I do best, and that is play football.”

Although King was not a part of the team, he kept up with his former teammates from a distance, watching the amount of success they were having and keeping themselves in a position to win the AFC South title.

“I was still watching even when I was away; I was still watching the guys and still rooting for them,” King said. “It’s good just to see them doing well and being a part of the family.”

The Texans recognized King and Thomas’s bond on and off the field as they talked continuously about football and life. So, when King returned, they placed his locker next to Thomas’s so the bond could continue growing.

“It is great to have him back,” Thomas said. “He is very versatile and will help me out a lot. He is going to help the back end out a lot in general because he can play all positions. Just having him back is a blessing. That is my brother, and anytime I can play with my brother, I am happy.”

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Texans cornerbacks placed among Pro Football Focus’ top-32 for Week 1

The Houston Texans had three cornerbacks appear on Pro Football Focus’ top-32 list for Week 1.

There were favorable happenings for the Houston Texans in their Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Although being squelched 25-9 and beginning another rebuilding season with an 0-1 mark invites its own pessimism, the Texans had a few positive trends develop on the field at M&T Bank Stadium.

Would you believe three of the best cornerbacks across the league were in Texans uniforms in Week 1?

According to John Kosko from Pro Football Focus, the top cornerback was Tavierre Thomas, who earned a 91.2 coverage grade from the analytics firm.

Thomas locked it down vs. the Ravens, recording four pass stops, including one tackle for a loss. Not only was he excellent on targeted passes, where he allowed -0.308 expected points added (EPA) per target, but Thomas was the eighth-best cornerback at preventing separation on all pass plays.

Steven Nelson came in at No. 8 overall with an 84.9 coverage grade. Considering the 30-year-old had an interception and a pass breakup, it would be hard to argue Nelson not being somewhere around the top-10.

Second-year Derek Stingley made the list, but had an interesting placement at No. 24 with a 65.0 grade.

Stingley looked more like the LSU freshman version of himself in Week 1, as he allowed just one catch for 20 yards and forced an incompletion while allowing the fourth-best separation rate of the week.

If the Texans are able to consistently take care of the boundaries and add tight slot coverage, it won’t be hard to find once the offense starts scoring points and opponents have to play catch-up.

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Why the Texans’ slot defense may be top notch in 2023

The Houston Texans have two of the top-3 slot corners in the NFL according to the Touchdown Wire.

The one area where the Houston Texans were stellar last season defensively was takeaways. Despite finishing 3-13-1, the Texans were in the top-10. The rest of Houston’s defense left a lot to be desired, which is why coach Lovie Smith got the boot and the Texans hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

The Texans may actually have one of the better slot defenses in 2023, and it has to do with existing talent and also talent acquisition.

According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, cornerback Tavierre Thomas is the best slot defender in the NFL, and uses some of Thomas’ highlights last season to make his case.

Whether he’s matching receivers deep, as he did against Parris Campbell of the Colts on this pass deflection in Week 18…

…or reading the quick pass and blowing it up, as he did against CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys in Week 14…

Farrar also goes on to mention Ward, who comes in at No. 3 on the list:

Last season, the 49ers ranked second in the NFL behind only the Patriots with 652 snaps in which they had three safeties on the field. When you have Tashaun Gipson Sr., Talanoa Hufanga, and Jimmie Ward in your defense, that makes a ton of sense. In 2022, Gipson and Hufanga were underrated assets in deep coverage in DeMeco Ryans’ defense, while Ward was the pointman in the slot. Last season in slot coverage, Ward allowed 65 catches on 80 targets from the slot for 516 yards, 319 yards after the catch, two touchdowns, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 91.5.

With the Texans’ defense having two stupendous slot corners in Thomas and Ward, it should allow their pass defense packages to remain versatile.

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The NFL’s 11 best slot defenders

Doug Farrar continues his positional lists of the NFL’s best players with the 11 best slot defenders heading into the 2023 NFL season.

In the 2022 NFL season, defenses played nickel (five defensive backs) on 12,630 opponent passing attempts. Defenses played dime (six defensive backs) on 2,715 opponent dropbacks. With just 3,206 opponent dropbacks against four defensive backs last season, base defense is no longer base defense — nickel is the new base, and has been for some time.

Moreover, the influx of three-safety looks in the NFL has increased, as has the specific “big nickel” looks with three safeties and two cornerbacks.

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The point of this preamble? That slot defenders are more important than they’ve ever been. Whether it’s in a more traditional nickel or dime look with just one slot defender, or defenses aligning two slot defenders to the strong side of the 3×1 formation, slot defenders aren’t just pre-emptive starters anymore — they’re integral parts of modern defenses, and good luck having a great defense without at least one.

Slot defenders have their own skill sets. It’s not like it was 20 years ago, when the smallest, slowest defensive back on a roster was relegated to the slot. Now, those guys need to have the coverage skills of cornerbacks, the run-stopping abilities of strong safeties, and the blitz instincts of linebackers.

It’s a fascinating gig.

As Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup said in this week’s edition of the “Xs and Os” podcast/video, the requirements for top-tier slot defenders make it a unique position.

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Building the perfect secondary

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“Slot defenders are an interesting breed. They can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be smaller, like Mike Hilton, who I think is one of the best slot defenders in the league. They can be bigger; it depends on what you want. But think of it this way — I know the numbers might be going down a bit, but teams line up in 11 personnel [one running back, one tight end, three receivers] a majority of the time. And teams are playing out of 11 personnel on first down — on second-and-3. What we consider normal down-and-distance situations where the run game is part of the offense. It’s not jst a third-down situation.

“Your slot defender is not just a pass defender. Your slot defender has to be able to defend the run, because there are a lot of teams that run toward the slot defender, because they know he’s not as good a run defender as you’d see running to the other side, where you might have bigger bodies. He also has to be part of pressure schemes. How often do we see slot defenders in today’s NFL as blitzers?

“So, not only do you have to play man coverage against receivers who have a two-way go, you also have to play underneath zone coverage, which is different than playing underneath zone coverage if you’re an outside cornerback. There are different rules, because zones all have their own rules.”

As has been the case with other defensive backs on this year’s list, the transfer of power from season to season is inconsistent, at best. Just two slot defenders from last year’s list — Derwin James and Kyle Dugger — made it in the 2023 group. Sometimes, that was about positional changes; other times, the performances from last year’s top slot defenders were simply eclipsed by the new guys.

No matter how you slice it, it’s tough to be a great slot defender in today’s NFL, and here are out 11 best heading into the 2023 season.

The NFL’s 11 best cornerbacks
The NFL’s 11 best safeties

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated). 

The NFL’s All-Underrated Team: One Secret Superstar for all 32 teams

From Matt Milano to Denico Autry to Tyler Lockett to Tony Pollard, here are the NFL’s most underrated players by team.

Why are great players underrated in any sport?

There are all kinds of reasons. In football, it could be that the guy playing your position is even better than you are, and he’s been doing it longer. Maybe we only have the attention span for one great player at your position Maybe you’re on a team that doesn’t get much national praise, or you’re part of a unit that… well, stinks… and you’re one of the few bright spots. Or, you’re just getting started on the ascent, and the world hasn’t quite caught up yet.

No matter the reason, there are many NFL players who ply their trade at an exceedingly high level, and they’re not given their proper due. Here, we look to rectify this in 32 individual instances with the most underrated player for every NFL team. Some of these guys have been doing it the right way in the shade for a long time for their teams; a few are new in their uniforms.

No matter why, all 32 of these NFL players deserve more love than they get, and here’s why. Here is every NFL team’s most underrated player.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated).