Cornerback Desmond King has signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans worth $3.5 million. The deal will keep King with the team through 2021. King started the season with the Los Angeles Chargers where he had played since he was drafted but was traded to the Tennessee Titans midway through the season.
Free agent CB Desmond King signed a 1-year, $3.5M deal with the #Texans, per @DrewJRosenhaus. One of 800 signings in Houston.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2021
Desmond King Signs With Houston Texans
King started the season out with the Chargers and in six games, racked up 24 combined tackles. However, he became dissatisfied with his role in the defense, and eventually got traded as a result. While his numbers didn’t change dramatically with the Titans, he did add some help to their secondary. And on his first game with his new team, he recovered a fumble for a 63-yard touchdown. He finished the season with a total of 55 combined tackles (14 solo), two sacks, two pass deflections, and the fumble recovery.
King played with the University of Iowa. During his time there, he got accolades such as Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (2015), First-Team All-Big Ten (2015-16), Unanimous First-Team All-American (2015), and Second-Team All-American (2016).
The Chargers drafted King in the fifth round, and he carved out a role as their primary slot/nickel corner as well as a return man. In that capacity, he was quite successful. 2017 saw him have 76 combined tackles and four sacks, both of which remain career highs. He also had a 90-yard pick-six. 2018 proved to be his career year, as he had three interceptions (one touchdown) and 10 pass deflections, as well as one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He also had one punt return touchdown. Ultimately he got All-Pro honors in two categories that year – First-Team as a defensive back, and Second-Team as a returner.
2019 was less successful as King had zero interceptions and only two pass deflections, but he did rack up 2.5 sacks and forced another fumble while recovering two of them. He did also have another punt return for a touchdown, though.
Thus far in his career, King has 244 combined tackles (193 solo), 8.5 sacks, four interceptions (two touchdowns), 19 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and five recoveries.
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