Xavier Crawford NFL Draft 2019: Scouting Report for Houston Texans' Pick

STRENGTHS

—Spatial awareness as a Cover 3 defender is solid with the ability to press vertical seam routes from the top side and feel receivers down the sideline.

—Fluid hips that are able to open and run with ease and allow him to remain in-phase at break points that might challenge others.

—Footwork at the line of scrimmage is patient and smooth, waiting for receivers to declare release strategy and able to mirror comfortably.

—Long speed looks average but shows the short-area burst to drive out of breaks on crossing routes and close windows in the short-to-intermediate areas.

WEAKNESSES

—Missed time early in 2017 with a shoulder injury and missed the last seven games of the same season because of a back injury.

—Little to no effort as a run defender and is too often willing to watch others rather than get involved.

—Thin overall frame with short arms and can get bullied at the line of scrimmage by physical receivers with strength in their releases.

—Struggles to get his head around down the field and can't locate the ball in flight or track deep routes for playmaking opportunities.

—Will get lazy in his pedal and stand upright, leading to inability to click and close against possession receivers who run sharp underneath routes.

OVERALL

Xavier Crawford transferred to Central Michigan after graduating from Oregon State during a coaching transition. He was a freshman All-American and relatively productive with the Beavers but chose to follow his defensive backs coach to Central Michigan. Back injuries slowed Crawford down after an impressive campaign in 2016, but the fundamental traits to be a solid backup are still evident. A lack of size and length will hurt him, but he comes with smooth hips and the footwork to compensate.

GRADE: 5.55 (ROUND 6 - BACKUP CALIBER)

PRO COMPARISON: Harlan Miller