Cleveland Browns: Top 5 cornerback targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
4. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Coming it at No. 4 at University of Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander. If not for his durability concerns, it is possible that Alexander could be the top cornerback available in this draft class.
Alexander missed six games of the 2017 season, first with a knee injury, followed by a broken hand. Needless to say, there could be some minor worries about him at the next level, especially in the speed department.
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Browns fans might be reminded of former Oregon Duck and Cleveland Brown Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. The ill-fated cornerback was a star for the Ducks until suffering a devastating knee injury before the draft. Fortunately for Alexander, his injury was far less severe.
Now that most of Alexander’s concerns are out of the way, what does the former Louisville Cardinal bring to the table? Let’s take a look.
At 5-foot-11 and 188-pounds, he’s just slightly bigger than UCF’s Mike Hughes. As a solid cover corner, Alexander showed tremendous skills during the 2016 and 2017 college football seasons.
Alexander’s physicality sets him apart from the rest of the class. He’s an incredible tackler and cover man, and has the upside to be a number one shut-down cornerback at the next level.
Again, the only problem with Alexander is his injury concerns. If he can stay healthy at the next level, the Browns could be getting a steal in the second or even third round. If not, it never hurts to take a flyer on a guy in day two of the draft, especially when you have as many picks as the Browns have.