Washington Redskins UDFA profile - Ranthony Texada, CB, TCU

Texada, at 5-foot-10 and about 13 pounds heavier than he was at the end of the 2017 season at 183 pounds, is hoping NFL scouts put more stock in what they saw him do on the field. Texada’s size may be in question, but there are plenty of defensive backs in the NFL with similar builds.

— Star Telegram

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When I started looking at [film] of Ranthony Texada, I thought I was going to see another possible slot CB due to his small size. While Texada may vie for a spot as the #1 or #2 slot CB, he is more than that. I think he could become a starting outside CB in the NFL. He may even be the guy that eventually takes Norman’s spot.

— Gibbs4potus, Hogs Haven

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The more I read and hear about Ranthony Texada, the more I wonder if he might be the unexpected gem in the 2018 group of UDFAs that the Redskins have signed.

One article on Texada says that he has played against seven of the top 26 receivers available this year’s NFL draft, including SMU’s Courtland Sutton, Oklahoma State’s James Washington and Iowa State’s Allen Lazard.

”I have good film against all of those guys,” said Texada, who finished his TCU career with 30 passes defended and three interceptions. “That’s why it’s hard for me to see guys ranked higher than me. I see guys that aren’t even as big as me ranked ahead of me. I feel like my film speaks for itself. I just need that one opportunity.”

Career Stats

A 4-year player at cornerback for the Horned Frogs, Ranthony Texada was the only freshman starter on TCU’s 12-1 team in 2014, and was named to Scout’s Freshman All-American team.

By the time he was a senior, Texada had proven himself to be a valuable member of TCU’s squad. He earned All-America honors from Phil Steele and SB Nation, and was voted first-team All-Big 12 by the head coaches and Associated Press. As a senior, he started all 14 games, and his 42 career starts were the most among active Horned Frogs on the 2017 team. Texada ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 1.1 passes defended per game and led TCU with 14 pass breakups.

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Our own Gibbs4potus talks about what he saw on film with Ranthony Texada:

More than meets the eye

When I started looking at cutups of Ranthony Texada, I thought I was going to see another possible slot CB due to his small size (5’10”170 pounds). While Texada may vie for a spot as the #1 or #2 slot CB, he is more than that.

Texada shows the ability to play off man coverage and zone coverage both very well. He has a very quick burst to break on a route in man coverage.

He also shows a great ability to read routes & the QB in zone coverage and even came up to play bump and run.

Smart, with speed down the field

Texada has good speed as ESPN listed him at 4.43 in the 40 yard dash. Texada showed his speed well running with receivers down the field and a nice spin to convert from outside coverage to stay with a receiver on a post. Texada plays smart in coverage, often helping out teammates when he reads certain route combinations.

Winning matchups

My favorite cutup of Texada was Baker Mayfield vs TCU. Texada locked down whichever side of the field he was on for the entire game. He helped teammates and himself with his quick hands to break up passes.

Texada came up to break up a wide receiver screen after slipping through a block.

That was something Kendall Fuller did very well for the Redskins in 2017. Texada played only outside Cornerback in the games I watched and not in the slot but I think he would do fine in that role too.

Texada also did a good job in coverage vs Stanford’s clutch wide receiver, JJ Arcega Whiteside. Texada made a nice tackle on Whiteside (6’3”, 22 pounds) in the open field. He also was flagged for pass interference on a jump ball in the end zone which wasn’t caught.

Texada made a nice open field tackle vs Stanford’s elusive Bryce Love also. He didn’t mix it up a lot vs the run in that game though as TCU used him outside at CB or as an umbrella safety when Stanford used their jumbo tight end package. JJ Arcega Whiteside vs TCU and Bryce Love vs TCU are good short cutups to watch.

How would he fit with the Redskins?

The Redskins have three cornerbacks who are locks to make the team in Josh Norman, Fabian Moreau and Quinton Dunbar. Josh Holsey is also a favorite to make the team after being on the roster for the entire 2017 season.

The Redskins also signed Orlando Scandrick in free agency and if they keep a sixth Cornerback, it will probably be a player who excels on special teams like Greg Stroman does as a returner.

Texada could break through only if he unseats Scandrick or Holsey as the slot Cornerback. Texada only returned three kickoffs at TCU and no punts so he isn’t a favorite to be a return specialist with the Redskins.

Texada will be in the mix as a possible surprise on the 53 man roster. It is much more likely that Texada is on the practice squad. With his ability to play multiple different coverages, I don’t think the Redskins will let Texada go.

Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The opportunity

Right now, the Redskins cornerback depth chart looks about like this:

Players returning from the 2017 roster

• Josh Norman
• Fabian Moreau
• Quinton Dunbar
• Joshua Holsey

Veteran free agent acquired this off season

• Orlando Scandrick

Draft pick

• Greg Stroman

UDFAs

• Danny Johnson

Texana bulked up this winter on advice from scouts and impressed with 14 reps on the bench press.

”It has been a long process training and lifting,” he said. “Now I’m just waiting to see what’s going to happen next. It has been an exciting process. All I need is an opportunity.”

Texada, who graduated from TCU in December with a communications degree, knows it can be done. Former TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, who Texada replaced in the Frogs’ starting lineup, has been in the NFL the past four seasons. He’s 5-10, 176 pounds. Verrett was a senior during Texada’s redshirt freshman season in 2013. They exchange texts and Verrett has provided Texada with motivation.

”There are tons of 5-9, 5-10 guys in the NFL. That doesn’t bother me at all,” Texada said. “Whatever happens, I’ll be happy. All I need is an opportunity to show why I feel like I’m one of the top guys.”

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Here are some Tweets from Ranthony Texada’s Twitter feed: