Cleveland Browns draft target: Jaire Alexander, Louisville cornerback

The Cleveland Browns continue to leave us hanging with the No. 1 and No. 4 picks. We move on from those and look at a potential second-round target Jaire Alexander out if Louisville

While all the draft attention seems to be on what the Cleveland Browns will do at No. 1 and No. 4, they do still own plenty other draft picks. That includes three in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, where they can still find impact starters.

In that round, the Browns currently own the No. 33, 35 and 64 selections, all of which could provide them with ample opportunities to make their roster much more competitive.

Here we look at one such prospect in Jaire Alexander, the cornerback from Louisville. Injuries in 2017 slowed his progress, but he’s arguably the most talented corner in the draft after Ohio State’s Denzel Ward.

Vitals

What the Scouts Say

Scouts love Alexander’s game. He would be a sure-fire first-round pick had he been entering the draft after 2016 when he played 13 games and had five picks. The problem for him is he missed half the 2017 season with various injuries. That brings up questions about his durability. As for his playing style, there are no concerns.

"“Twitchy and quick, Alexander is an instinctive cornerback with the ability to anticipate routes and the quickness to close on throws and make plays on the ball. He tape in 2017 was uneven due to issues with a sprained knee which could raise concerns over his durability considering his slender build. When healthy, he has the potential to become a second cornerback, but teams may view him as a full time nickel cornerback who is able to avoid the rigors of excessive run support.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"

Does he fit in Cleveland?

Alexander would be a great fit with the Browns. After they added Damrious Randall from the Green Bay Packers, they seem to have the safety spots set with him and Jabrill Peppers. They do however need to address the cornerback spot.

While Briean Boddy-Calhoun was a good slot corner, the team is down a starter after trading Jason McCourty to the New England Patriots. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Browns could stand to add a couple corners. Going for Denzel Ward at No. 4 is a possibility, which may limit their desire to get Alexander — who would likely cost them the No. 33 pick.

Next: Post-trade frenzy 7-Round Mock Draft

Should they pull the trigger though, he would be an upgrade over their current group and could be even better than what they got from McCourty in 2017 — which was pretty good.

Home/Browns Draft