Update (3:10 p.m. ET) - Just kidding, y’all. -BS
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The Carolina Panthers needed help at the outside cornerback position after they traded away Daryl Worley for Torrey Smith earlier this week. General Manager Marty Hurney aggressively went after Bashaud Breeland in free agency, and was able to successfully secure Breeland’s services for a modest 3 year, $24 million dollar contract. Let’s take a look at what Breeland brings to the table:
Breeland isn’t the biggest or fastest cornerback, but he had an above-average broad jump, which is a good indicator of lower body explosiveness. In a predominantly zone scheme like Carolina’s, having short area quickness is extremely important when playing in off coverage, as it allows a cornerback to quickly come up and contest the ball in the air, or make the tackle.
On this play against the New Orleans Saints, Breeland is in zone and delivers a big hit on Alvin Kamara, causing an incompletion. His impressive short-area quickness is on display here:
Washington’s defense is very similar to Carolina’s, so it should be a seamless transition for Breeland. The Redskins mostly play Cover 3 with occasional man to man coverage. Disrupting routes at the line of scrimmage is extremely important in man coverage, and Breeland showed the ability to do this on a consistent basis:
On this play against the Los Angeles Rams, Breeland is patient at the line of scrimmage, and is able to able to get a hand on Watkins’ shoulder, which slightly slows him down on the vertical route. This allows Breeland to stay with Watkins deep downfield.
Here’s another play where Breeland does a great job in man coverage. Notice how his good hand placement disrupts Nelson Agholor on a shallow crossing route. This leads to Breeland being in a good position to bat the pass away:
Breeland’s average athleticism is occasionally a liability. On this play Breeland is in off-man coverage against Torrey Smith. Smith’s elite speed means Breeland has to play with some extra cushion over the top. Smith does a great job selling the deep route before quickly flipping his hips back towards the line of scrimmage on the comeback route, and Breeland is far too late to adjust. Smith is able to get almost four yards of separation against Breeland and makes the 30 yard catch.
Breeland’s slower hips means he will occasionally be a liability against double moves downfield. On this play against the Vikings, Adam Thielen is able to use his elite route running ability on a “sluggo” route to gain almost five yards of separation against Breeland, who is far too slow to react. The Vikings end up gaining 38 yards on the play.
When Breeland is unable to get a good jam at the line in man coverage, his slower hips and overall lack of size can be a liability, especially against bigger receivers. On this play, Breeland is unable to disrupt Dez Bryant’s route in the red zone, as the bigger and stronger Bryant isn’t affected at all by Breeland’s attempted jam.
Breeland is out of position and has no chance at playing the ball, as the 6-foot-3 Bryant is able to elevate and easily make the catch.
Fortunately for Breeland, in Carolina’s scheme he’ll be the #2 cornerback across James Bradberry, who will likely draw the assignment of following bigger #1 receivers every game.
Bashaud Breeland doesn’t solve all of Carolina’s secondary issues, but he’s an upgrade over the inconsistent Daryl Worley at the cornerback position. Breeland is a natural fit in Carolina’s zone scheme, and has the ability to stick with some receivers in man coverage as well. As long as the Panthers don’t ask too much from Breeland, he should be a very productive player for them.
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All GIFs and images courtesy of NFL.com