NFL First Round Mock Draft, Seahawks get defensive
By Dan Viens
Pick #15: Los Angeles Rams – Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
As they pack their bags and move back to Los Angeles, the Rams still need to decide who’s going to be their quarterback moving forward, and if he’s currently on the roster or not. In the meantime they have a lot to build around; a blossoming running game led by rookie sensation Todd Gurley and an oustanding young defense.
Their front seven is one of the best in the league, but they may face some serious questions in the secondary with the pending free agency of both starting CB’s in Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson. Most likely they’ll have to let at least one of them walk, but in this scenario they can replace the departed with another outstanding rookie capable of filling their shoes as a rookie.
Alexander is a bit of an enigma. After redshirting his freshman year at Clemson, he started 23 games over the next two years. During that time he quickly built a reputation as a sure-fire first round draft pick despite zero interceptions. What gives? Clearly teams didn’t often throw his way, but when they did there wasn’t alot of room to be had by opposing WR’s.
Alexander excels in man coverage, showing the quickness and agility to read and react quickly to make a play. He’s also known as a film room junkie. Another smaller corner at 5’10”, he would fit in especially well with the Rams if they choose to re-sign Johnson (a bigger CB) while moving on from Jenkins (5’10”).
Next: On the clock: Detroit