Assessing Mackensie Alexander’s value ahead of free agency
By Dean Jones
What will Alexander command in free agency?
Any new deal for Mackensie Alexander is going to require the Vikings to free up funds. Minnesota is currently around $1 million under the salary cap following Everson Griffen’s recent decision to opt out of his deal. This is nowhere near enough to make the necessary moves to improve the franchise for another playoff run in 2020.
More sacrifices will need to be made and there might be room for one of the Vikings’ free-agent cornerbacks to return once the finances have been allocated. This will leave Minnesota with a choice between Trae Waynes and Alexander, with the latter more important to the team at the present time.
Alexander made just $1.03 million in base salary last season. This is sure to sky-rocket in free agency given his high level of play over the last two years.
Alexander is projected by Spotrac to earn a new contract this offseason that could pay him around $8.4 million per year. While that might seem like a stretch for the Vikings at the moment, if they can part ways with some high earners ahead of possible contract talks with the corner, then this could be within their reach.
Minnesota’s defense is likely going to have a different look to it by the time OTAs come around and this will be no more prevalent than at the cornerback position. Alexander will probably be getting plenty of offers from elsewhere this offseason, so it will be interesting to see if he stays loyal or he moves on to a new adventure.