5 Best Fits at Cornerback for the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Aaron Tully
Andrew Booth Jr.
Clemson/6’0”/194 lbs/Junior
Andrew Booth Jr. is one of the two best options that the Buffalo Bills could land when they are on the clock at pick #25 in two weeks’ time. Booth Jr. has all the tools needed to be a quality starting NFL cornerback from day one.
Booth Jr. is excellent in man coverage, having great anticipation of the routes his opponents are running and has the ability to stay with his man as their route continues to drag on. Booth Jr. is fast, physical, has great size, and plays with swagger; all traits that make up some of the NFL’s top shutdown corners.
In zone coverage, Booth Jr. is solid but not as good as he is in man coverage. He does a good job of cutting off throwing lanes when in zone coverage but is not as polished when he needs to make adjustments in his zone.
Booth Jr’s ball production and skills are perhaps his strongest asset as a prospect. He intercepted five passes in his last 21 games and defended nine passes. Booth Jr. is incredibly aggressive on the ball when it is in the air, sometimes to a fault, but he more often than not can and will make a play on the ball when it is in the air. He is capable of making big-time plays that shift the momentum firmly towards his team.
One of Booth Jr.’s bigger flaws is that aforementioned overaggressiveness on the ball at times. His tackling could use some work, but the effort and physicality needed to be a good tackler are there.
Booth Jr. takes a lot of chances, often looking to make a big play. Sometimes, however, that ambition can lead to big plays for the other side. If he can learn to take gambles at the right time, he could be a big-time playmaker at the pro level, which the Bills could use to further bolster their secondary.
Booth Jr. is a fiery competitor with great football instincts that pair well with his solid length and willingness to be physical. He has a great mix of flashy traits that make stars in the NFL, and the gritty and competitive traits that Sean McDermott wants in a Buffalo Bills defensive back.