Somehow, late in the second round, the Vikings landed the best corner in the draft.
Well, at least that is Mackensie Alexander's opinion.
By drafting the versatile Clemson cornerback with the 54th overall pick in the second round Friday night, the Vikings are getting a confident cover man who declared at the NFL scouting combine that he was the best cornerback in this class. And Alexander did not back down from that boast Friday night even though six of his positional peers were picked before the commissioner called his name.
"That's where the confidence comes from, just working out every day and grinding and just having a sick work ethic," Alexander said on a conference call. "That's what I have. My parents instilled that in me. So there's where I get my confidence from, and my talent has really molded me to be that guy."
While General Manager Rick Spielman said Alexander is probably capable of playing on the outside at the pro level, too, the Vikings see Alexander as a slot cornerback.
"Whatever the Vikings want me to do, I'm ready for it," Alexander said.
Alexander could push slot specialist Captain Munnerlyn for nickel package playing time as a rookie. Munnerlyn, who is in the final year of his contract, said on Twitter immediately after Alexander was drafted that he would welcome that challenge.
Alexander was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school before signing at Clemson. After a redshirt year, the Florida native was voted a freshman All-America in 2014 and then a third-team All-America last season as a redshirt sophomore.