Corner back A.J. Bouye is signing a five-year, $67.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The new deal contains $26 million in guaranteed money and pays him $13.5 million per year. Bouye spent the first four seasons of his career with the Houston Texans.
AJ Bouye is getting 5-Years, $67.5M, $26M Fully Guaranteed – $13.5M Per Year, per Michael Wright.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
A.J. Bouye Signs Five-Year, $67.5 Million Deal With the Jacksonville Jaguars
The first three seasons of A.J. Bouye’s career with the Houston Texans yielded mixed results. Bouye started in only eight games with 69 total tackles, but he also recorded six turnovers, one touchdown return, and sixteen defended passes. Bouye’s 2014 season was his best; playing predominantly in the nickel position, he gave up three touchdowns, yet also had four pass breakups and three interceptions. On average, Bouye only gave up about 10 yards per catch, nearing the bottom of the spectrum.
Despite a modest display of talent in limited playing time the previous season, Bouye was still buried on the depth chart throughout 2015. But an injury-plagued secondary in 2016 gave way to Bouye getting more playing time, where he turned in a near league-topping performance. Including the post-season, Bouye never gave up a touchdown pass, missed only two tackles, and snagged three interceptions. Only counting the regular season, Bouye allowed less than 200 yards to opposing offenses and a completion percentage barely-above fifty percent.
Top Competition
These stats aren’t inflated from poor match-ups either. Bouye stacked up against players like Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and this year’s receiving leader, T.Y. Hilton, and allowed 19 total yards. Nineteen.
Perhaps the biggest knock on Bouye’s game is his limited experience and snap count. Houston’s depth has given them the luxury of playing him when the match-ups are favorable. Of course, once he proved himself by taking over the left corner spot in injury relief, his snap count rose dramatically. Bouye was a mainstay in the 2016 playoffs, where his play arguably improved. Bouye shut down Amari Cooper and the Patriots’ revolving receiver corps, while also adding two interceptions, during the post-season
In short, A.J. Bouye is an exceptional player, has earned this big pay day, and may very well be the best corner to hit the market this season.
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