Mackensie Alexander didn’t hear his named called until late in the second round when the Vikings took him, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t the best man coverage cornerback in the draft.
Pro Football Focus ranked his selection as the fifth-best pick overall. Here’s why:
“Minnesota got a first-round talent, and arguably the best man corner in the class, all the way at the bottom half of the second round — and it was all because of size concerns. It wasn’t necessarily a need, and he’ll be behind a couple other first-rounders, but you need three cornerbacks to succeed in the NFL today. Alexander shadowed opposing receivers at times, and even with that difficult assignment he only allowed 19 catches on 57 targets in 14 games last year.”
So while the likes of Jalen Ramsey, Vernon Hargreaves and Eli Apple were getting selected in the first half of the first round, Alexander might be better suited to line up man-to-man with the NFC North’s best receivers, like Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Alshon Jeffery.
A great example of his shutdown ability came last season against first-round pick, Notre Dame’s Will Fuller, whom Alexander locked down.
Alexander definitely doesn’t lack confidence. During the NFL Combine he didn’t waste time when saying he’s the best cornerback in the draft.
“I’m the best corner in this draft class,” he said. “If you look at my stats, my numbers, who I am as a person, who I’m competing against – I went against the best receivers in the country. I went against more of the top receivers than anybody in this draft class, and I’m going step for step. I’m not just moving outside, I’m going inside. I’m playing zone, I’m able to blitz, I’m able to show my versatility, everything.”
#Vikings' new CB Mackensie Alexander doesn't lack confidence. A quote from the combine: pic.twitter.com/FjbwjNLtBP
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) April 30, 2016
