Mackensie Alexander was taken by the Minnesota Vikings with the #54 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
How many of you had the Vikings addressing the cornerback position in the second round of the draft? I’m guessing probably not many. If any.
But cornerback was the pick for Minnesota. With the #54 overall selection, the Vikings took Mackensie Alexander of Clemson.
Everything about this pick screams “something we didn’t think we’d see.” Mike Zimmer drafting a 5-10 corner?
I guess we should give up thinking that we know what Mike Zimmer is thinking.
Quick scouting capsule on Alexander: He is terrific in man-to-man coverage, he has tons of confidence and is known as a guy who really works on his game.
So he checks off those two boxes Mike Zimmer is always mentioning: Tough and smart.
Alexander notably did not have a single interception in college, but that may have been because quarterbacks were afraid to throw at him.
Though the pick does make sense if you look at it in terms of scheme, everyone’s going to wonder how it makes sense when you look at the Vikings’ current personnel.
The Vikes have Xavier Rhodes at one corner spot, 2015 #12 overall pick Trae Waynes at the other corner spot, Captain Munnerlyn at the slot and Terence Newman coming back to provide veteran depth.
So who is odd-man-out in this scenario?
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If things play out in a fashion similar to last year when Waynes was drafted, Alexander will not be rushed into action. It’s worth keeping in mind that, if the Vikings decide not to pick up his fifth-year option (which would be worth $8 million) Rhodes will be a free agent at the end of the 2016 season. Munnerlyn’s contract is also up at the end of the year and the aging Newman is playing on a one-year deal.
Mike Zimmer’s #1 priority is always getting better and he obviously believes Alexander is a guy who can make the team better, if not this year then down the road. We’ll see how all the pieces fit.