Questions swirled from the moment the 25th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft was selected by the San Diego Chargers.
Is he too short? Can he stay healthy? Does he have what it takes? Jason Verrett knew the adversity that he was tasked with as soon as he put on a San Diego Chargers jersey, and he has handled these hardships in a marvelous manner.
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A cornerback who runs a 4.38 40-yard dash and has a 40 inch vertical while playing lockdown defense at a division one school usually warrants at least a top-15 overall pick; however, Verrett is generously 5’10″ and 190 poubds, listings that caused many scouts to question whether or not the TCU product was capable of shutting down tall, physical receivers.
In 2015, Verrett answered many of his doubters by playing phenomenal defense even throughout an abysmal season by his team. The cornerback did only play in 14 games, yet he played through injuries in many of these contests – indicating his toughness.
Verrett also solidified his presence against big receivers in a Monday Night Football meeting with the Chicago Bears. Verrett had to leave the game early due to aggravating a groin injury; however before his departure, the young corner was having a fantastic game.
Lining up against 6’4″ Alshon Jeffrey, Verrett was thrown at three total times. Two of those three attempts resulted in incompletions, and the third attempt resulted in Verrett scoring on a 68-yard interception returned for a touchdown. Yes, he left the game with injury, but Verrett revealed himself as an elite corner that can line up on the outside with authority.
Another game that stands out above the rest when picking apart the play of the young corner. Playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Verrett was tasked with endeavoring to shut down Antonio Brown. In the four games before this Monday night matchup, Brown averaged 8.5 catches per game, 120 yards, and almost a touchdown per contest. He then faced Verrett, who shut down Brown (albeit playing without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger) for three receptions on six targets with only 45 yards and no scoring.
At 1:34, this video shows one specific play in which Verrett uses his incredible footwork to bat a pass away from the hands of Brown. Verrett mirrors the entire slant pattern, sticking with Brown the entire way; as the ball is the in the air, and makes a beautiful play on the ball with a diving effort.
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With 46 total tackles, three interceptions, and 12 pass deflections, Verrett continuously displayed why many Chargers fans should be excited for his future. San Diego finally has a lockdown corner who can shut down an entire half of the field. In this golden era of passing in the NFL, Verrett is as valuable a corner as Richard Sherman; the world just has not been formally introduced yet.