Analysis (Taylor O’Neill): Playing his first two seasons at Washington as a safety, Kevin King moved to corner for his final two seasons. The first thing one notices about King is his rare height for a defensive back. At 6’3, King ran the 40 in 4.43. He was one of the better defensive backs at the combine, putting up great numbers in the vertical jump (39.5′), the 3 cone drill (6.56 seconds), and the 20 yard shuttle (3.89 seconds).
King’s length gives him a great advantage against opposing wide receivers, giving him the ability to close on wide receivers and break up passes. King led Washington with pass breakups in 2016 with 13. He has the ability to be a playmaker in the NFL which he flashed in 2016 and 2015 with 5 interceptions. His highlight reel end zone interception against Arizona St. last year gives you an idea of how good his hands could be.
Still, King’s play speed looked less exciting than his combine numbers. He’s not a great press corner, often getting beat off the line by faster receivers. He lacks elite twitch and change of direction speed. He’s also been a weak tackler who could probably use to gain a little upper body strength.
Still, the Packers have to like being able to trade out of the first round and still receive a first round talent with great intangibles.
Team Fit (Mike Wendlandt): King is the perfect fit on the boundary for the Packers. With his exceptional length (6’3”) and ball skills, he should start right away on the outside opposite Davon House. This also allows Damarious Randall to move inside where he is best and also takes some pressure off of Randall and Quentin Rollins.
King comes into Green Bay already the most athletic defensive back on the roster with his exceptional speed and burst, which combined with his ball skills and football IQ make him an immediate upgrade and a potential difference maker for the Packers. He will be paired perfectly with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on whatever side of the field they line up and nothing will get over their heads.
Player Comparison (John Piotrowski): Brandon Browner
The physical attributes are all there for Kevin King: tall, lengthy, vertical, good speed. These open up the door for being able to adapt to his competition. He can withstand physical receivers if he puts the work and study time in, but has the potential to hold his own against the speedier and elusive competition as well. If King can build a little more strength to challenge the bigs but also maintain his own against the speedy ones, he could go from a Browner comparison to a Richard Sherman comparison if high production is there.
Top 200 Rank (Ross Uglem): 51. I lean so much toward the tape side of a football player than the measurables. I’ve got issues with what King allows in front of him, but not a real big problem with his upside. It’s basically limitless. You can’t throw the ball over his head, he’s too fast and too big.
PFF Draft Guide (Ross Uglem): King has a passer rating against of 66.8, and it was 55.6 a year. King has allowed one touchdown in the last two years.
Mike Wendlandt
Originally from Iola, WI (about 30 minutes from Stevens Point), I am currently living in Rosholt, WI. I graduated from Drake University with a degree in History in December 2015, but have a journalism background and have been active with print and radio during my time in Des Moines, specializing in sports. I have filmed and broadcasted almost 100 events during my time at Drake, including football, basketball, and the Drake Relays. Now I have started my career in broadcasting with a position at WDUX FM-Waupaca. I am currently the play-by-play voice of Central Wisconsin High School Sports. A lifelong Packer fan, I count myself among the luckiest sports fans in the world to be a supporter of a team so steeped in history and success.
2 responses to “BREAKING: Packers Draft Kevin King, CB. Washington 33rd Overall”
I love the upgrades in our secondary. Priority one accomplished. Josh Jones brings an enforcer to the secondary and with his size will learn to cover tight ends. Clinton-Dix and Randall just got two new players and our secondary is hugely upgraded. GO PACK GO!!!
I’m sure Mr. Shavager won’t be satisfied with these picks either. Ted Thompson did an excellent job buying the groceries,now it’s up to the coaching staff to have them ready for Seattle at home week one. Eddie Lacy comes back to Green Bay and we’ll be ready for him and his team.