Houston Texans 2021 player profile: CB Keion Crossen

Since the Houston Texans traded for Keion Crossen in 2019, his availability on Sundays has been more reliable than his pass coverage. In 2020, Crossen allowed 16 receptions on 28 targets while allowing 14.1 yards per catch.

As he enters his third season in Houston, Crossen’s 2021 season could be in jeopardy given the number of cornerbacks the Texans will have come the first day of training camp.

Rundown

(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Position: Cornerback Age: 25 Height: 5-10 Weight: 185 lbs Hometown: Garysburg, North Carolina High School: Northampton County (NC) College: Western Carolina Draft: 2018, Seventh-round pick No. 243 Acquired: 2019 via trade

Profile

(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

During his first two seasons with the Texans, Houston's subpar production and injuries made it easier for Crossen to receive a decent amount of playing time since 2019. However, as Crossen prepares for his third season in Houston, entering training camp with a crowded cornerback core could result in the 25-year-old defensive back turning in his playbook prior to the start of the season. Bradley Roby, Terrance Mitchell and Desmond King have presumably established themselves as Houston's top three corners, meaning Crossen will be competing against Vernon Hargreaves, Tavierre Thomas and John Reid for the remaining spots at the start of training camp. While the competition between the three defensive backs will be stiff, Crossen appears to be entering training camp with the support of cornerback coach Dino Vasso, who liked the Carolina native's variety during OTAs in June. “As we look at Keion, he’s an athletic player who can run, he’s explosive, he’s long for a guy his height," Vasso said during a Zoom press conference in June. "A guy that we’re excited about. A young player that’s progressing and trending in the right direction."

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