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2016 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders Hit Home Run with CB Alexander

By Dan Schmelzer

Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) blocks the pass intended for South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver D.J. Neal (3) during the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) blocks the pass intended for South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver D.J. Neal (3) during the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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A recent 2016 NFL Mock Draft has the Oakland Raiders snagging Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander with the 14th overall pick. A talented player at a huge position of need for the Raiders is a slam dunk of a pick.

With the 2016 NFL Draft quickly approaching, the mock drafts are rolling in industry-wide. The latest 2016 NFL Mock Draft from CBS Sports has the picks of Senior NFL Columnist Pete Prisco featured for the first time.

Related Story: A Different Choice for Oakland in this 2016 NFL Mock Draft

Prisco’s mock has some interesting twists and turns. DeForest Buckner to the San Diego Chargers, Jalen Ramsey to the Dallas Cowboys, Myles Jack to the New York Giants and A’Shawn Robinson to the Chicago Bears all stood out as interesting and relatively surprising picks towards the top. However, it was the Oakland Raiders’ 14th overall selection of cornerback

Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables talks with Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables talks with Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

that stood out to me the most.

The Raiders have built an impressive young roster through the draft, and are set to become major players in free agency this off season. In a division with a lot of unknown, I could certainly see Derek Carr, Khalil Mack and company making a strong post-season push with the right additions this off season.

In Prisco’s 2016 NFL Mock Draft, the Raiders selection of Alexander as the third defensive back off of the board was a perfect situation where best available talent meets prime positional need. There is no denying that the Raiders have a massive need at the cornerback position, and drafting Alexander would undoubtedly help fill their need.

Here is what Prisco had to say about Alexander landing in Oakland:

"He is another corner under 6-feet tall who plays with a swagger. He would be an immediate starter for a defense that needs corner help."

With D.J. Hayden never developing into the player who Oakland thought he would when they drafted him with the 12th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, “needs corner help” is a bit of an under-statement. They have some interesting young players at the position, but the Raiders do not have any established players at the position who they can count on.

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The Raiders’ need at cornerback is real, and is a position that they should be aggressively pursuing in both free agency and early in the draft. Alexander is considered by many to be a top ten talent in this draft class, and if he falls to the Raiders at 14, they do not need to waste any time making a decision.

Alexander’s 5’10”, 195-pound frame may not be ideal, but he has great length and natural athleticism that typically makes up for his lack of size against bigger receivers. Alexander has great natural coverage skills and impressive press man-to-man ability. He excels when simply asked to stick to the opposing team’s best receiver for most of the game.

Alexander has great overall speed and athleticism that gives him huge upside at the next level. That being said, his technique and footwork needs some improvement. Alexander appeared to rely on his natural ability too often, not seeming to improve in the more technical areas of the game. I imagine NFL coaching will help this out, but Alexander is going to have to show that he is willing to improve.

This is a great class of defensive backs with Ramsey, Alexander and Vernon Hargreaves being the clear top three of this class. Both Ramsey and Hargreaves are the more established players, but nobody at the position can match the raw talent and upside that Alexander brings to the table.

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The Raiders need to improve at the cornerback position, and if Alexander is available at 14, they would be crazy to consider anything else.

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