Andrew Booth Jr. has seen his 2022 NFL Draft projections rise and fall over the past six months. But when it comes to potential landing spots, a place in the first round is generally considered likely. After flirting with being the top CB in the class, the question now is — will Booth be the second, third, or fourth cornerback taken? Let’s examine Booth’s current draft projections and potential landing spots on Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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NFL Draft Projections: Andrew Booth’s potential landing spots
Booth is a fascinating prospect who seems to split opinions in terms of where he sits in this class. On PFN’s Consensus Top 300 Big Board, Booth sits second among the CB position with an average position of 12th. PFN Draft Analysts Ian Cummings and Oli Hodgkinson both view Booth as a top-five player in the class, while Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline places Booth 40th on his Big Board.
It is clear to see from Booth’s scouting report why Cummings and Hodgkinson are so high on him. He is an extremely talented player with incredible athletic abilities, and he posted solid statistics at Clemson. However, injury concerns, plus technical and mindset issues, could limit his upside on draft day. Let’s take a look at the potential landing spots for Booth based on his current Day 1 draft projections.
New York Jets
The Jets are likely to be in the market for a cornerback with one of their two first-round selections. Unless they are extremely high on Booth and his athletic traits, the fourth overall pick could be a little rich. However, their selection at No. 10 could prove an ideal value for Booth.
The Jets have a young secondary dripping with potential. Booth would be a fantastic match for that group. The only slight concern with Booth could be that he is not yet the most polished of the prospects available at the position. With such a young secondary, the Jets may feel that Booth’s temperament and injury concerns make him too much of a risk given the price.
Houston Texans
The Texans also have two picks in the top half of the first round. Much like the Jets, they could look to take a cornerback with one of those selections. However, the Texans have a long list of needs, so they could decide they like the depth of the position at the top of the second round.
Booth would slot in nicely with this Texans secondary. They have added Desmond King and Steven Nelson as veteran starters on the outside. While Tavierre Thomas is a solid option in the slot, Booth would have an opportunity to start in that third CB role. Learning behind both King and Nelson would be a fantastic introduction to the NFL for Booth, who could then potentially step into a starting role on the outside in future years.
Minnesota Vikings
Will the Vikings continue their trend of taking a CB in the first round in even-numbered years? They drafted Mike Hughes in 2018 and Jeff Gladney in 2020. Those moves had mixed success, and the Vikings are without a complete situation at CB. They brought back Patrick Peterson and added Chandon Sullivan in free agency, with both projected to be starters.
The questions begin with Minnesota’s options in the slot and the team’s overall secondary depth. Cameron Dantzler and Harrison Hand are fine options, as is Nate Hairston. However, adding a prospect with Booth’s upside could give them an instant upgrade covering the slot while also providing depth on the outside. If the Vikings do not trade back, Booth would make a lot of sense as the selection with the 12th pick.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have demonstrated their belief in building their defense with good cornerback play. Marlon Humphrey is a star, and Marcus Peters is a playmaker. Outside of that, there are some question marks and concerns in this secondary. Booth could help answer some of those concerns while also ensuring the Ravens can move on from Peters as a free agent next offseason.
The intriguing element with adding Booth to this secondary is the versatility Baltimore would have. Booth has shown he is adept at playing inside, and so has Humphrey. Therefore, if the Ravens had both of them, they would have the ability to play matchups every week. There are other needs for the Ravens in the first round, but Booth would be a good philosophical fit with the Baltimore defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have needs at all three levels of their defense. Finding a CB partner for Darius Slay is crucial, making Philadelphia an intriguing landing spot for Booth. Avonte Maddox is a solid-enough starter, but the depth behind Maddox and Slay is concerning.
There seems to be a good chance the Eagles will use one of their two first-round selections on a cornerback. If Booth is still on the board, he would be a nice fit for the defense. If they want to roll with Slay and Maddox on the outside, Booth could spend 2022 in the slot before moving outside in the future.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are another team with a screaming need at cornerback. If a player of Booth’s potential is on the board when they are on the clock, this is a selection they need to consider seriously. While Booth lacks the profile of a conventional cornerback, he has the athleticism to find success. The Patriots system has developed those types of corners before and could do so again.
Once we get past the Patriots, almost every team could be in play for Booth. Cornerback is one of those positions where it is nearly impossible to have too much talent. Therefore, if Booth somehow slips past 21 without being selected, there could be several suitors, including the Packers, Bills, Cowboys, Titans, and Chiefs.
