Riggo's Rag
FanSided

NFL Supplemental Draft: Scouting CB Adonis Alexander’s fit with the Redskins

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 03: Cornerback Adonis Alexander #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies gestures to the crowd against the West Virginia Mountaineers at FedExField on September 3, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 03: Cornerback Adonis Alexander #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies gestures to the crowd against the West Virginia Mountaineers at FedExField on September 3, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 9: Running back Matthew Dayes #21 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack is hit by rover Adonis Alexander #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2015 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech defeated North Carolina State 28-13. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 9: Running back Matthew Dayes #21 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack is hit by rover Adonis Alexander #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2015 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech defeated North Carolina State 28-13. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Scouting Adonis Alexander

When watching Alexander on tape, it’s clear that he has the potential to be a playmaker. He has a nose for the ball, and that is part of what led him to grab seven interceptions during his three seasons with the Hokies.

Once Alexander sees where the ball is going, he quickly reacts and is able to move towards it. And thanks to his long frame, he is able to get his hands in the face of many receivers to make catching it more difficult.

Alexander’s game is more about physicality than it is about speed. He does have solid athletic ability, but his 6-foot-2, 199-pound frame allows him to go after players at the line of scrimmage and body up against them to make their get off challenging. Additionally, his strength and instincts allow him to be a good tackle, so he will be able to provide some run support for the team that drafts him.

More from Riggo's Rag

What Alexander lacks is speed and movement skills. His game is more predicated on physicality and thus, he would be a better fit in a system that focuses on jamming players at the line of scrimmage. That said, his speed concerns could be quelled if his instincts get better and he learns better technique. That is something that Torrian Gray, one of the men who helped recruit him to Virginia Tech, would be able to do.

Alexander has drawn comparisons to a former Redskins corner from WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell. That would be former second-round pick, David Amerson. Here’s what Campbell said of that comparison in a recent scouting report.

"There are a lot of similarities between Amerson and Alexander. They are nearly identical in size, and Alexander has plus ball skills similar to Amerson (6-1, 205). They also can struggle with speedy, quick-twitch receivers, and giving up separation. Amerson was a second-round pick before becoming a journeyman. Alexander could have been a second-day pick if he had entered the 2018 NFL Draft."

While Redskins fans may not necessarily be happy to hear Amerson’s name come up, given his struggles in Washington, Amerson was considered to be a potential No. 1 corner coming out of school. And in the NFL, he has been a solid, albeit erratic, No. 2 man at various times in his career. If Alexander can prove to be more consistent than Amerson with a similar skill set, then he could become a very strong pro. He has the physical tools and ball skills needed to do just that.

Home/Commanders Draft News