Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 195 pounds
School: Clemson University
Mackensie Alexander 2016 NFL Draft Profile
Mackensie Alexander was the fourth-ranked prospect in the country by ESPN coming out of high school. The talented cornerback would have played in 2013, as a true freshman, but he sustained a groin injury and redshirted that season. In 2014 Alexander had 21 tackles, two tackles for loss, six passes defended and one recovered fumble in 766 snaps in 13 starts. Opposing quarterbacks threw 57 passes at the guy he was covering, but completed just 20 that season, with only two touchdowns. Alexander was named Freshman All-American and honorable mention All-ACC honors as a full-time starter in 2014. In 2015 Alexander recorded 23 tackles, two tackles for loss and five passes defended.
Alexander’s lack of statistics in 2014 and 2015 (33 tackles, 11 passes defended, no interceptions) is far from indicating a lack of talent. It’s actually the opposite. The “lack of production” in those two seasons serves to prove how little opposing teams and quarterbacks dared to throw to his side of the field. The talented defensive back allowed only 29.6 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed, with no touchdowns.
Strengths
- Has shown the ability to read wide receivers and quickly diagnose plays
- Excellent competitor who has shown he can rise to any occasion
- Can fire up his teammates
- Is a pure lock down corner
- Confident in his abilities
- Puts in work in the film room
- Quick footed and has fluid hips
- Has shown excellent man-to-man cover skills
- Solid one-on-one tackler in open field
- Fantastic recovery and closing speed
- Is a tough, physical player
Weaknesses
- Height. He is shorter than most teams would like. He could have difficulty covering big NFL receivers
- Lack of quality footwork means he heavily relies on reactive quickness
- His confidence (i.e. cockiness) leads to a lot of trash talking which some teams/coaches won’t like
- Needs to work on his zone coverage skills; he can be a bit too aggressive when playing zone
NFL Comparison: Josh Norman, Desmond Trufant, Stephon Gilmore
Teams with Need at Position: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers
Projection: Mid first round (15-20)
Mackensie Alexander didn’t participate in the Combine due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the National Championship game, and he may not have prototypical cornerback size, but he has shown he can play at a high level, even when he’s covering the opposing team’s best receiver on an island. He has great athleticism, instincts, and confidence which help make up for his lack of size. Alexander is a great competitor and, even if he struggles a little early on as he adapts to the NFL, he has the promise to become an excellent shut down corner at the next level.
