Miles
Well-known member
- Mar 18, 2019
- 2,455
- 0
The eighth-year pro doesn't have elite speed — he ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash before entering the league — but he seems to often be in the right position to make plays. He made some tremendous catches to haul in interceptions, and he appears instinctive during interception returns.
"I think he's a technician," safety Tyrann Mathieu said of Bouye in the NFL’s 2018 Top 100 series. "I think he's fundamentally sound."
Added wide receiver Jarvis Landry: "He knows when to jam a guy. He knows when to shadow a guy. He knows when to play off."
During that breakout 2017 season, Bouye allowed just a 41.7 passer rating, which was best in the NFL among cornerbacks with at least 50 targets.
And while Bouye has recorded just two interceptions over the past two seasons, there's reason to believe he can bounce back in Vic Fangio's turnover-friendly zone defense.
"We all watch football," Bouye told DenverBroncos.com. "We all watch prime-time games. Just watching the scheme, we had a lot of opponents [in Jacksonville] last year that were the same here in Denver, so I could study the scheme a lot. It was one scheme I was definitely looking forward to playing in."
Bouye is expected to join cornerback Bryce Callahan and safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson as the starting four in the Broncos' defensive backfield.
Bouye previously played with Jackson for four years in Houston, and he said the experience should help when they return to the field.
"He was somebody that I looked up to as soon as I got there," Bouye said. "I'm a firm believer in chemistry. You're only as good as the chemistry you have as a team, so I'm definitely excited to develop that with all the guys."
As Bouye develops that chemistry, he'll bring more than just a knack for the ball to the Broncos' defense. Fangio prioritizes sure tacklers at cornerback, and Bouye should bring that ability to Denver.
He is also both reliable and versatile. Bouye has missed just five games over the previous three seasons, and he played on both sides of the formation during his time in Jacksonville.
And while quarterbacks had a 101.5 passer rating while targeting Bouye in 2019, he has the talent to bounce back. With top-tier safety play behind him and a front seven that will include Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and reportedly Jurrell Casey, Bouye should have the help he needs to return to form.
"We've got a lot of weapons on defense, got a great rush," Bouye told DenverBroncos.com. "[We've] got some good linebackers [and] got some guys in the back-end that can make plays."
If Bouye can return to making the plays he did in 2017, the Broncos' trade will have been well worth it.