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Redskins Training Camp Profile: CB Adonis Alexander

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) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – SEPTEMBER 30: Adonis Alexander #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates a tackle during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Lane Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – SEPTEMBER 30: Adonis Alexander #36 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates a tackle during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Lane Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

What Alexander must show at training camp

Frankly, Alexander’s main goal at training camp is to prove that he belongs in the NFL. Because in one year since being picked, he hasn’t generated a lot of buzz.

In a recent roster projection, NBC Sports Washington’s JP Finlay omitted Alexander from the final roster noting that Alexander was “somewhat invisible throughout the spring sessions” and was banged-up in minicamp. Certainly, that’s not something a second-year player fighting for his job wants to hear.

Truth be told, Alexander’s lack of impact could simply be due to not being on the field. Or it could be due to being banged-up. But either way, he is going to have to showcase an ability to make plays in training camp and during the preseason to stay in the conversation at cornerback.

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The best way that Alexander will be able to make an impact will be with his size and strength. After all, 6-foot-3, 205-pound cornerbacks don’t grow on trees. If he can prove to be a dominating physical presence who can help stifle bigger receivers, that will give him a chance to earn a role in the secondary. While showing off his solid ball skills (seven interceptions in three years with the Hokies) could also help, his main goal should be using his physicality.

It also wouldn’t hurt Alexander’s cause to show off some positional versatility. The Redskins are a bit thin at safety, so if he can prove that he can play outside or as a safety, that could do a lot to earn him a spot on the roster.

The path certainly exists for Alexander to make the roster. But as well as showing improvement, Alexander is going to have to weave his way through what could be stiff competition in the secondary.

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