KCSN Draft Guide Preview: CB Andrew Booth Jr.

As we sit here on the verge of April (Draft month!), the Chiefs still have glaring weaknesses on their roster.

The defense needs a talent injection. A lot of draft capital will be used to help address that. Be it trades, trade ups, or selections, expect to see a lot of new faces enter the mix soon.

We’re working hard on the 2022 KCSN Draft Guide that releases on April 6th. Here’s a sneak peak at one of the pages in the book — a cornerback that could be available at the end of the first round.

CB Andrew Booth Jr. — Clemson

6’ — 194

Lawrenceville, GA 9/8/2000

Grade (round): 1st

2021 Stats: 5 PBU, 3 INT, 37 TKL, 3 TFL 

Background:

Five star cornerback recruit who was considered a top 50 overall player coming out of highschool. Two time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient (2019 and 2020). Named Second Team All-ACC in 2020 and First Team All-ACC in 2021 at cornerback. 

Strengths:

Booth is a fluid athlete who showcases elite body control when turning, running, or working in the air. In coverage, his foot quickness, hip fluidity, and long speed jump off the tape. He possesses a perfect athletic profile to mirror receivers on all three levels even if not asked to do so often.

When working in-phase, he can adjust to the ball and maintain speed and leverage with ease. He mirrors receivers through hard breaks and has the length to fight through being boxed on on slants/in-breaking routes to make plays on the ball. Booth has a lot of experience in zone coverage.

His click and close on anything underneath is exceptional and he understands route combinations before they develop in front of him. His willingness to tackle and be physical is also fantastic. It’s another area his body control allows him to evade blockers and consistently make tackle attempts.

Weaknesses:

Booth doesn’t have quite the volume of high-leverage snaps at cornerback that is often preferred coming into the NFL, especially against high level opponents. The Clemson defense didn’t align him in man coverage and ask their corners to lock up opposing receivers one-on-one too often making it partially unknown.

He’s also not the largest or thickest player on the field leading to the occasional “out-muscled” scenario at the catch point despite proper positioning. He's often countered that by being in great position based on reading a receivers release or body language but this can lead to some susceptibility vs double moves.

How he fits with the Chiefs:

Andrew Booth Jr. is one of players that after watching them, there is just an understanding they look different. His body control and athletic profile is not one that is often seen in the NFL and makes him incredibly scheme diverse coming into the NFL.

Add on enough size and enough speed to play vs. a wide variety of body types at the NFL level, Booth profiles easily as a Number One cornerback. The Chiefs haven’t often invested high in the position but Booth’s experience with various zone and man concepts and their thin corner room make him an excellent target for them in the draft.

Player comp: Marshon Lattimore

Team Fit: High