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Redskins select DB Adonis Alexander in sixth round of supplemental draft

By Jacob Camenker

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) /
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The Washington Redskins made a splash in the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft by selecting Adonis Alexander in the sixth round of the draft. It was a good move by the team.

For the better part of the last couple weeks, there had been speculation tying Adonis Alexander to the Washington Redskins. The talented Virginia Tech product had to enter the Supplemental Draft after being ruled academically ineligible for the upcoming season. However, had Alexander declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, many expected that he would be a third or fourth-round pick. Instead, he fell to the sixth-round in the Supplemental Draft.

Once that round rolled around, the Redskins decided to take the risk. Selecting around the No. 20 spot, they put in a claim for Alexander. And they were awarded with him after no team in front of them placed a claim. As a result, Alexander will be a member of the Redskins, and the team will forfeit a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

This was an excellent move by the Redskins. Alexander has so much upside and could be a great fit in Washington. He was recruited to Virginia Tech by current Redskins defensive backs coach Torrian Gray. He was a teammate of rookie corner Greg Stroman and rookie nose tackle Tim Settle. This will make him comfortable with the team immediately, as the presence of that trio should make his transition smooth.

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In addition to the people the Redskins have in place, Alexander provides them with something they need. More talent in the secondary. The Redskins have a largely unproven group of cornerbacks, so adding a guy like Alexander isn’t a bad move. He has the versatility to play both corner and safety, and that could do a lot to help him make the roster. In fact, his better position at the pro level could be safety, and the competition there is wide open.

Because the Skins only had to spend a sixth-round pick on Alexander, this move was a no-brainer. They still have 10 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft and even if Alexander needs a year on the practice squad, they didn’t spend a very valuable resource on him. And also, they got him for pennies on the dollar, as he could have played himself into being a Day 2 pick in the 2019 draft.

There are some concerns with Alexander, including a marijuana arrest in 2016, but right now, he seems to be clean. He passed a drug test on eve of the Supplemental Draft, per Mike Garafolo, so that quells that concern. And regarding whether or not he will fit on the Washington roster, it doesn’t matter. If he makes the squad, one other young defensive back will have to go to the practice squad. And if he doesn’t qualify, he will spend a year on the practice squad.

Next: Scouting report for CB Adonis Alexander

The upside associated with Alexander is immense. The Redskins got a great value, and it should be exciting to see what Alexander can do when he gets on the field in training camp.

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