David Amerson

David Amerson (born December 8, 1991) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at North Carolina State University and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Arizona Cardinals.

David Amerson
David Amerson
Amerson with the Washington Redskins in 2014
No. 29, 38, 39
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1991-12-08) December 8, 1991
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:James B. Dudley (Greensboro, North Carolina)
College:NC State
NFL Draft:2013 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:272
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:65
Interceptions:9
Defensive touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Amerson was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, and played for the Dudley Panthers high school football team. According to Rivals.com, he was a four-star college football recruit.[1]

College career

Amerson enrolled in North Carolina State University, where he played for the NC State Wolfpack football team from 2010 to 2012. As a true freshman in 2010, he started nine of 13 games and recorded 50 tackles. Through 11 games of his sophomore season in 2011, Amerson had 51 tackles and led the nation in interceptions with 13.[2] The 13 interceptions beat Dré Bly's record for the most interceptions in a season in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history.[3] Following the 2011 season, he received the Jack Tatum Trophy for the best college defensive back, first-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and ESPN, and first-team All-ACC honors.

At the inaugural Belk Bowl held in Charlotte on December 27, 2011, Amerson broke the record for the most interceptions in a season by an Atlantic Coast Conference competitor. This record of 13 interceptions also led the Football Subdivision during the 2011 season.[4] He finished the game with five tackles, two interceptions, and one touchdown.

Professional career

Prior to his junior year, Amerson was widely projected to be a top-10 selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.[5][6][7] However, his draft stock dropped after a mediocre junior season. Coming out of North Carolina State, the majority of analysts and scouts projected Amerson as a second or third round pick. He was ranked the ninth-best cornerback by NFLDraftScout.com. Amerson was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and completed most of the workouts and drills before injuring his groin that inevitably kept him from doing the three-cone drill and short shuttle. He also participated at NC State's Pro Day and made up the three-cone drill and short shuttle while also improving on his combine numbers in the vertical and broad jump.[8]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 205 lb
(93 kg)		 32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m)		 10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		4.44 s1.50 s2.50 s4.13 s6.75 s38+1⁄2 in
(0.98 m)		11 ft 0 in
(3.35 m)		15 reps
All value from NFL Combine[9] and North Carolina State's Pro Day.[8]

The Washington Redskins selected Amerson in the second round (51st overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.[10] He was the highest selected North Carolina State defensive back since Dewayne Washington in 1994 and was the seventh cornerback selected.

Washington Redskins
Amerson in his rookie season in 2013

On May 7, 2013, the Washington Redskins signed him to a four-year, $3.85 million contract with a signing bonus of $1.10 million.[11][12][13]

2013

He entered training camp competing with DeAngelo Hall, E. J. Biggers, and Josh Wilson.[14] The Washington Redskins named him the third cornerback on the depth chart behind veterans Hall and Wilson to begin the season.[15]

He made his professional regular-season debut and started the Washington Redskins' season-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, making four combined tackles and a pass deflection in a 33–27 loss. The following week, he made a season-high six combined tackles during a 38-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers. On September 29, 2013, Amerson made a tackle and intercepted Matt Flynn, returning it for a 45-yard touchdown, in a 24-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders. It was his first career interception.[16] During a Week 9 matchup against the San Diego Chargers, he tied his season-high of six combined tackles, made a pass deflection, and intercepted Philip Rivers in a 30-24 victory.[17] He finished his rookie season with 48 combined tackles (40 solo), ten pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 16 games and eight starts.[18] The Washington Redskins finished with a 3-13 record and head coach Mike Shanahan was fired after the dismal season.

2014

Amerson competed in training camp with E. J. Biggers, Bashaud Breeland, and Tracy Porter for a starting cornerback position. Head coach Jay Gruden named him a starting cornerback, opposite DeAngelo Hall, to begin the regular season.[19]

Amerson started the Washington Redskins' season-opener at the Houston Texans and collected five solo tackles in a 17–6 loss. On September 25, 2014, he recorded a season-high eight combined tackles in a 45–14 loss to the New York Giants. He was benched for a Week 12 contest with the San Francisco 49ers by head coach Jay Gruden after being late to a team meeting. His explanation was he had lost his cellphone that doubled as his alarm clock and overslept.[20] Amerson finished the season with 61 combined tackles (52 solo) and seven pass deflections in 15 starts and 15 games.[18]

2015

Amerson started his third season as the fourth cornerback on the Washington Redskins' depth chart behind DeAngelo Hall, Bashaud Breeland, and Chris Culliver. In the Redskins' season-opener, he made two solo tackles and a pass deflection in a 17–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The following week, Amerson was a healthy scratch in a 24–10 victory over the St. Louis Rams and was demoted in favor of Kyshoen Jarrett and Will Blackmon.

Amerson was waived by the Redskins on September 21, 2015.[21]

Oakland Raiders

On September 22, 2015, the Oakland Raiders claimed Amerson off waivers.[22]

He picked up the team's defensive scheme well and played his first game for them just five days after being signed.[23] On September 27, 2015, he had three total tackles in his Oakland Raiders' debut against the Cleveland Browns. Amerson worked his way up the depth chart and was the third cornerback behind D. J. Hayden and T. J. Carrie. In Week 9, Amerson recorded eight solo tackles and intercepted Ben Roethlisberger in a 38–35 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[24] On November 29, 2015, he made two solo tackles a season-high six pass deflections, and intercepted Marcus Mariota in a 24–21 win over the Tennessee Titans.[25] His six deflections set a new single-game, franchise record.[26] During a Week 15 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Amerson recorded six solo tackles, three pass deflections, and intercepted Aaron Rodgers in a 30-20 loss.[27] On January 3, 2016, he made two solo tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted Alex Smith, returning it for a 24-yard touchdown, for his fourth pick of the season during a 23–17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[28] He was second in the NFL with 25 passes defended during the 2015 season and was named most improved player by Pro Football Focus. Amerson finished his first season with the Raiders with a total of 60 combined tackles (55 solo), 26 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a touchdown in 14 games and 12 starts.[18]

2016
Amerson in 2017

On July 15, 2016, the Oakland Raiders signed Amerson to a four-year, $35 million contract with $17.5 million guaranteed.[29]

Amerson and Sean Smith were named the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season with T. J. Carrie named the nickel back. He started the Oakland Raiders' season-opener against the New Orleans Saints and made four solo tackles in a 35–34 victory. The following game, Amerson recorded a season-high eight combined tackles, three pass deflections, and intercepted Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan during a 35-28 loss. On October 23, 2016, he had four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted Blake Bortles, as the Raiders routed the Jacksonville Jaguars, 33–16. He finished the season with 64 combined tackles (56 solo), 16 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts.[18]

The Oakland Raiders finished 12-4 and were second in the AFC West. On January 7, 2017, Amerson started in his first career postseason game and recorded three combined tackles in a 27-14 loss in the AFC Wildcard game to the Houston Texans.

2017

Amerson competed with rookie Gareon Conley throughout training camp for the starting cornerback position. Head coach Jack Del Rio named Amerson and Smith the starting cornerbacks to start the 2017 season.[30]

He started in the Oakland Raiders' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans and recorded two solo tackles in a 26–16 victory. On September 24, 2017, Amerson made a season-high six combined tackles and defended three passes during a 10-27 loss to his former team, the Washington Redskins.[18] After he suffered a foot injury in Week 7, he was unable to play for the rest of the season and missed nine consecutive games.[31][32]

On February 5, 2018, Amerson was released by the Raiders.[33]

Kansas City Chiefs

On February 16, 2018, Amerson signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs,[34] He was released on September 1, 2018.[35]

Arizona Cardinals

On November 13, 2018, Amerson was signed by the Arizona Cardinals.[36] He played in six games with five starts, recording 21 tackles, two passes defensed, and one interception, which came off Russell Wilson in a Week 17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

On June 13, 2019, the Cardinals released Amerson.[37]

Career Stats
SeasonGamesTacklesInterceptions
YearTeamGPGSCombTotAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2013WAS 168484080.024522.545110
2014WAS 1515615290.0000.0007
2015WAS 202200.0000.0001
OAK 1412585350.04287.024125
2016OAK 1515645680.0200.00016
2017OAK 66181440.0000.0004
2018ARI 65211740.012525.02502
Total7461272234380.099810.945265

[38]

Personal life

Amerson is childhood friends with wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was also selected in the 2013 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.[39]

References
  1. "David Amerson". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  2. "2011 FBS (I-A) College Football Individual Statistics Leaders for Defense - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  3. Observations: N.C. State vs. Clemson
  4. "N.C. State holds off Louisville in Belk Bowl". USA Today. December 28, 2011.
  5. Brooks, Bucky (April 29, 2012). "2013 NFL Draft: USC's Barkley, Woods among top 30 prospects". NFL News.
  6. Prisco, Pete (April 30, 2012). "Top 32 for 2013: Barkley headlines a class that already looks deep". CBS Sports.
  7. Schrager, Peter (May 1, 2012). "Schrager's 2013 mock draft". Fox Sports.
  8. "*David Amerson, DS #9 CB, North Carolina State: 2013 NFL Draft". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  9. "NFL Combine Profile", NFL.com, retrieved May 8, 2013
  10. "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  11. Jones, Mike (May 17, 2013). "Redskins sign second-round cornerback David Amerson". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  12. Tinsman, Brian (May 17, 2013). "Redskins Ink Top Pick David Amerson". Redskins.com. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  13. "Second-round pick David Amerson signs rookie contract". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  14. "Ourlads.com: Washington Redskins' Depth Chart: 08/01/2013". ourlads.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  15. "Ourlads.com: Washington Redskins' Depth Chart: 09/05/2013". ourlads.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  16. Wagaman, Michael (September 29, 2013). "Redskins rally behind stellar defense to top Raiders". USAToday.com. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  17. Czarda, Stephen (November 6, 2013). "David Amerson Saves Day Vs. Old Foe". Redskins.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  18. "NFL Player Profile: David Amerson". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  19. "Ourlads.com: Washington Redskin's Depth Chart: 08/31/2014". ourlads.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  20. "David Amerson explains absence that got him benched for 49er's game". washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  21. Hanzus, Dan (September 21, 2015). "Redskins cut David Amerson, former second-rounder". NFL.com. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  22. Bergman, Jeremy (September 22, 2015). "Raiders claim CB David Amerson off waivers". NFL.com. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  23. Paskal, Eddie (October 8, 2015). "David Amerson Earning A Role In Raiders Secondary". Raiders.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  24. "Game Notes: Steelers 38 Raiders 35". Raiders.com. November 8, 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  25. "Game Notes: Raiders 24 Titans 21". Raiders.com. November 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  26. Paskal, Eddie (November 30, 2015). "David Amerson Puts On A Clinic: Five Lessons We Learned From The Raiders Win Over The Titans". Raiders.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  27. Bair, Scott (December 20, 2015). "Notes: Raiders CB Amerson shines again vs Packers". CSNBayArea.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  28. Teicher, Adam (January 3, 2016). "Chiefs head into postseason with momentum after 10th straight win". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  29. Bergman, Jeremy (July 15, 2016). "David Amerson, Raiders agree on four-year extension". NFL.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  30. "Oakland Raiders: Depth Chart". foxsports.com. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  31. Rotowire staff (November 2, 2017). "Raiders' David Amerson: Set to sit Sunday". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  32. Kawahara, Matt (December 31, 2017). "CB David Amerson (foot) inactive for ninth straight game in Raiders finale". SFGate.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  33. "Raiders Release CB David Amerson". Raiders.com. February 5, 2018. Archived from the original on February 11, 2018.
  34. "Chiefs sign ex-Raiders CB David Amerson to 1-year deal". NFL.com. February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  35. "Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53". Chiefs.com. September 1, 2018.
  36. Urban, Darren (November 14, 2018). "Adding A Pair Of Corners: Cardinals Sign David Amerson, Leonard Johnson". AZCardinals.com.
  37. Urban, Darren (June 13, 2019). "Cardinals Release Cornerback David Amerson". AZCardinals.com.
  38. http://www.nfl.com/player/davidamerson/2540170/profile Access April 29, 2017
  39. Boyer, Zac (November 1, 2013). "Childhood friends David Amerson, Keenan Allen look forward to Sunday". WashingtonTimes.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
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