The NFL draft is rapidly approaching, and every team around the NFL has put together a plan for the selection processincluding the Denver Broncos. The plan needs to be fluid, as several outside factors can change the thought process concerning who would be the best pick for a teamespecially early in the draft.In the first round of the draft, the Broncos may go with a quarterback. However, in a quarterback-desperate league, some of the better options will be long gone by the time the Broncos pick at No. 31 overall. Theres no need to join in the desperation when you can win with average quarterback play and a world-class defense.The Broncos have made a commitment to defense early in the draft under general manager John Elway. Since Elway took over in 2011, every first-round pick for the team has been on the defensive side of the ball. It should come as no surprise to those who follow the team that the Broncos would have constructed the leagues best defense during Elways reign as an executive in the Mile High City.Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander might be the best of a quality group of players at his position. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is not afraid of a challenge on the field. Alexander has natural swagger and could be a fantastic fit on a terrifying defensejust like he was for Clemsons unit.Well make the case for Alexander to be the Broncos top choice in the 2016 NFL draft.College Career Alexander was one of the highest-touted recruits a few years ago for Clemson. He originally had a verbal commitment to play for Tennessee, but he reopened the process and chose to play for Clemson instead.In 2013, Alexander redshirted due to a groin injury and did not play. In 2014, he stepped in as a redshirt freshman and made an immediate impact as a starter for the ferocious Clemson defense. With 21 tackles, two tackles for loss and six passes defensed on the year, Alexander was rewarded with freshman All-American and honorable mention All-ACC honors.His final season in college saw more of the same from Alexander. In 2015, Alexander started 14 games and finished the year with 23 tackles, two tackles for loss and five passes defensed. Its interesting to note that Alexander set a school record for snaps by a freshman, appeared in 27 games and finished his college career with zero interceptions.Earlier this year at the NFL Scouting Combine, Alexander had an answer for why he did not pluck a pass from an opponent in two seasons as a starter.I had some opportunities to come up with some picks in my career," Alexander said. "I didnt come up with them at the end of the day, but in a lot of situations, I wasnt challenged very much. A lot of quarterbacks and teams stayed away from me.Playing in the ACC has given Alexander the chance to go against some of the best quarterbacks in the country. In 2015, Alexander was a key part of a defense that ranked 17th in the nation in passing defense with an average of only 187.7 passing yards allowed per game.Skill Set Theres a lot to like about Alexanders game. It all starts with his confidence and aggressive nature as a player. Alexander loves to talk trash during a game, and he can get into the head of opposing receivers with his shutdown ability.Hes got the speed to recover when beat, and Alexander has good closing burst to the ball when the pass is incoming. Even though hes considered small at 510, 190 pounds, Alexander is aggressive at the point of the catch. He will fight to knock away the pass, and he shows the explosion to make a play at the balls highest point.Alexander is not afraid to get his hands dirty as a run defender. Known as a sound tackler, Alexander understands leverage and will go low to bring a running back down.He can play close to the line of scrimmage in coverage, and he uses press-bail techniques to alter the timing of an opposing receivers route. The young corner also understands how to use the sideline as an extra defender, and he doesnt give quarterbacks big windows to throw into.Hes certainly believes in his ability to make plays no matter where he lines up on defense.Im a lockdown corner, but Im able to do a lot of things," Alexander said. "As a corner, I can play zone, I can play man. We do a lot on our defense because our safeties and our corners are very multiple. We had a great overall defense, so we could do things and match any other team and do anything. So Im able to do a lot for my team.He does have durability concerns after missing some time in games with a knee injury in 2015 and missing most of the national championship game earlier this year due to a right hamstring. Alexander's opponent will beat him sometimes, but he does have a short memory and doesnt build negative momentum mentally if a pass or two gets completed on him.The CompetitionThe Broncos have arguably the top three starting cornerbacks in the league. Aqib Talib is an intimidating presence on the outside who doesnt back down from a challenge. Chris Harris Jr. was an amazing find as an undrafted free agent in 2011, and he can shine at either the slot corner or outside corner position. Bradley Roby is a star in the making with the upside to be a top-five corner in the league someday.In the NFL, teams need to have three corners because of the nature of this pass-happy league. Nickel defense is the base formation for most teams today, and the Broncos have the benefit of having three great corners. However, they need an eye for the future at the position, and thats why Alexander would be a good pick.Kayvon Webster was a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, but he has yet to develop into a starter. Hes big, fast and physical, but Webster will too often have his aggressive nature used against him. While fast in a straight line, Webster struggles to smoothly transition from backpedal to sprint and can have receivers get by him because of it. At this point in his career, Webster looks like a good sub-package player but not a top-three starter at the position.Last year in the draft, the Broncos selected a couple of corners from Tulane to help out with the depth at the position. Lorenzo Doss was a fifth-round pick, while his college teammate Taurean Nixon was a seventh-round pick for the Broncos in the 2015 NFL draft.Doss only played three snaps as a rookie and spent most of the year on the inactive list. Nixon was on the teams practice squad for the regular season, but Denver called him up to the active roster for the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. Both are interesting developmental players, but each lacks the upside that Alexander has flashed during his college career.SummaryIt was only two years ago that the Broncos used a first-round pick on a cornerback, and they may follow suit in the 2016 NFL draft.The pro comparisons for Alexander paint a good picture for his future in the league. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Alexander to Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant. Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.comcompared Alexander to a smaller version of Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman.Alexander has his own idea when it comes to a pro comparison.I like [theNew York Jets'] Darrelle Revis," Alexander said. "I think my game is similar to his game, but then I can also compare my game to [theSan Diego Chargers'] Jason Verrett because of his grittiness, his size. Hes able to move around, hes explosive and stuff like that.There is no doubt whom Alexander thinks is the best corner in the draft this year.Im a competitor, and theyre all competitors, but at the end of the day, Im going to say itand a lot of you guys will say itIm the best corner in this draft class," Alexander said. "You know what I mean' If you look at stats, my numbers, who I am as a person, who Im competing againstI went against the best receivers in the country. I went against more of the top receivers than anybody in this draft class, and Im going step for step.Alexander continued: Im not just moving outside, Im going inside. Im playing zone, Im able to blitz, Im able to show my versatility, everything.Brash and confidentjust like a star cornerback can beAlexander seems ready for the challenge of the NFL. His skill set shows great potential and upside as a pro, but hes not a finished product. Alexander needs to work on many things.His physical makeup, attitude and developmental upside make him an intriguing consideration at the end of the first round.The Broncos may have to move up a little to get Alexander if they want him, but with the potential to be a top-10 pick, Alexander would be worth the risk.All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand.Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.Contract and salary-cap information provided bySpotrac. Transaction history provided byPro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided byNFLDraftScout.com.
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