Denver Broncos new starting cornerback A.J. Bouye doesn’t feel any pressure by being given the task of replacing Chris Harris Jr.
Replacing a Pro Bowl player is no easy task. That does not seem to faze Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye, who was brought in via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars early in the 2020 offseason.
Bouye replaces former Broncos corner Chris Harris Jr. who was obviously ready to head somewhere other than Denver even before the 2019 season had ended.
Bouye is now the team’s No. 1 cornerback, taking Harris Jr.’s spot, but he does not feel like there’s anything to worry about in terms of getting overwhelmed by the fact.
In some ways, the pressure is a good thing. But trying to live up to someone else’s past is unnecessary pressure. Bouye should come into Denver trying to be himself, not trying to emulate someone else. Sure, the Denver Broncos would love for Bouye to be as good or better than Harris Jr., but it should be at the back of his mind, not front and center.
It is going to be interesting to see how newcomers to the Denver Broncos, such as Bouye, will perform during the 2020 season, given that they are unable to do any on-field work. Bouye is a proven cornerback though and should be okay.
Harris Jr. was known in Denver for being a solid cornerback, who quarterbacks did not want to throw at if they didn’t have to. He has been one of the best in the league for a while now.
Bouye has been around the NFL since 2013, when he was drafted by the Houston Texans, and then signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2017.
His best year in terms of tackling came in 2019 when he recorded 65 tackles, but in terms of takeaways, he has six in 2017. Bouye also has two playoff interceptions, both coming in 2016.
Becoming the No. 1 cornerback on a new team is certainly a tall order, but this is not something that I’m worried about with Bouye. I feel like he is going to bring his best to the Denver Broncos and hopefully will be a top addition to the 2020 team.
With Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, and Justin Simmons surrounding him, this could be Bouye’s best year yet.