INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Jaire Alexander #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Our third cornerback profile of Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft prospects is Louisville’s own Jaire Alexander.

When NFL Draft weekend arrives, we know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to emphasize the cornerback position on their draft board and find a way to come away with at least one talented rookie.

There are plenty to find, but the class is relatively top heavy. For a team with no third-round pick currently, this almost assuredly means Jason Licht needs to try and find one in the first or second rounds.

Can Alexander be the guy? Let’s get to know him a little better.

Alexander’s College Career

Missing almost half of the 2017 collegiate season isn’t going to do this prospect any favors. The fact he played most of the games he did appear in playing through injuries which would later end his year has led to perhaps more questions than answers.

However, what we do know is he finished his three-year career with seven career interceptions and flashed special teams talent returning almost 50 punts with one going all the way for a touchdown.

Not widely considered much of a tackler, he did finish 2016 with 31 solo tackles, and was on pace to potentially top that number again in 2017 when he was shut down for the season.

For his efforts he’s come into the NFL Draft season as a day two prospect who could get into the back end of the first round depending on how teams feel he’ll rebound from injuries and whether or not there’s a run on secondary players on opening night.

Pros

First of all, he’s fast. Something the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ cornerback group is missing is speed, and Alexander has it.

Comfortable playing in press, off coverage and shows good field awareness in zone calls. He can play well throughout the field and against any kind of offense.

Solid ball skills. Has shown the ability to make difficult catches and will fight against any receiver he’s matched up with.

His athletic ability combined with his willingness to get involved physically makes him a pestering presence on the field who is going to give any receiver he faces problems.

Cons

Not the biggest guy on the field and is aware of it. Some call it a business decision, I call it smart play. He won’t go looking to get in the scrum, but he’s not going to run away from a tackle either.

At times he appears to rely too much on his own speed and can get caught by surprise by the speed of other players.

Consistently plays behind his man which will cause problems facing taller NFL receivers who will take advantage of getting behind him downfield.

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Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Need Jaire Alexander

Not as consistent as Denzel Ward and not as fast as Donte Jackson, Alexander is somewhere in between. Which is where he’s projected to be drafted.

Just like the other two though, he’s a solid outside defender who should develop into an even better pro.

His attitude on the field is a bit flashier than what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently possess, which is a good thing.

Depending on what Licht does in the first round, he could be a target following a trade back, or possibly a day two guy if he falls that far.

Will It Happen?

It’s definitely a possibility, but we can’t draw any conclusions on him until we see what happens in the first ten picks of the first-round.

If the Bucs don’t go with a cornerback at pick seven, then Alexander is certainly in play with their second-pick of the draft.

However, if the team drafts Denzel Ward or even Derwin James, it’s likely the team will look for pass rush or running back in the second round.

Alan Schechter joins in on the mock draft fun to make the Jets’ pick at number three!

Give me your thoughts on Jaire Alexander and catch all of our draft profiles as we log one player per day until the beginning of the 2018 NFL Draft!

David Harrison is one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Co-Experts for The Pewter Plank. You can reach him about this or any other NFL topic on Facebook, or on Twitter.