Can Texans CB Keion Crossen take the next step in 2021?
The Houston Texans have an overcrowded cornerback group with Bradley Roby, Vernon Hargreaves, Terrance Mitchell, Desmond King, John Reid, and Tavierre Thomas just to name a few.
Throw in cornerback Keion Crossen and the Texans will have decisions to make about the unit throughout training camp and preseason.
For Crossen, a former 2018 New England Patriots seventh-round pick from Western Carolina, he will have more competition to work against as he continues to build the momentum from the final four games of 2020 when he started every game, collected 22 combined tackles and five pass breakups.
New cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso likes the athleticism that the 5-10, 185-pound Crossen can bring to the unit.
“Really the expectation for Keion is no different than anyone else,” Vasso told reporters on a Zoom call on June 8. “It’s about attacking the day and getting better each day. As we look at Keion, he’s an athletic player who can run, he’s explosive, he’s long for a guy his height and he’s got impressive ball skills being around him the past couple weeks here; a guy that we’re excited about; a young player that’s progressing and trending in the right direction.”
Through 32 career games with the Texans, Crossen has provided 59 combined tackles and five pass breakups. Crossen has been primarily used on special teams throughout his past two seasons in Houston with 516 special teams snaps compared to 439 on defense. 2021 represents an opportunity for Crossen to separate himself from the pack and become a key part of the Texans’ secondary.
