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Colts Had Interview with Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander at NFL Combine

By Luke Schultheis

Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) blocks the pass intended for South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver D.J. Neal (3) during the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) blocks the pass intended for South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver D.J. Neal (3) during the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com, the Indianapolis Colts had an interview with Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander during the NFL Combine:

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Mackensie Alexander speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Mackensie Alexander speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The 5’11”, 195 pound cornerback was credited with having perhaps the best media interview of any prospect in Indianapolis, where he called himself “the best corner in this draft class“:

"“I’m 22, but I’m ready to compete with anybody. There’s nobody more dedicated than me, who’s put more time in or is more of a competitor than me…I’m here prepared. I’m telling you I’m the best corner in this draft class,” said Alexander."

However, Alexander didn’t participate in any of the NFL Combine’s drills.

Currently, he’s projected to be a 1st round pick, as Alexander is regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in this year’s draft class–coming in at #3 on NFL Network’s Mike Mayock’s cornerback positional rankings behind Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey and Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves respectively (via his NFL.com Draft Profile):

"NFL COMPARISONDesmond TrufantBOTTOM LINEAlexander is a difficult evaluation because there are times on tape that he looks vulnerable to quickness off the line of scrimmage and he doesn’t have the prototypical size of a top­-end NFL cornerback. However, he was consistently sticky in man coverage and played with the instincts and confidence needed from a true cover corner. Alexander’s confidence may border on cockiness at times, but that also seems to feed his competitive fire. Alexander may struggle early on, but should settle in to become a quality starter by his second year."

Alexander’s critics will point out that he only played two years of collegiate football at Clemson (having redshirted as a freshman due to injury) and in that span only recorded 11 breakups and 0 interceptions total–the latter being unprecedented for a 1st round cornerback.

However, part of that can be attributed to the fact that opposing quarterbacks rarely targeted the Tigers standout because of his exceptional coverage ability:

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Regarding the Colts, with Greg Toler set to hit free agency and unlikely to be re-signed, the Colts could use another starting cornerback to pair with standout Vontae Davis on the other side.

Nickel cornerback Darius Butler is best suited as a slot cornerback, and the jury is still on last year’s 3rd round pick D’Joun Smith, who missed the majority of last season with a knee injury and saw only limited action.

While their pass rushers received the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook that the Denver Broncos just won the Super Bowl with a trio of lockdown cornerbacks in Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and Bradley Roby–their 2014 1st round pick, as well.

Simply put, the Colts could use an infusion of young talent all over defensively.

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