Vikings draft Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander in Round Two

With their second-round selection, pick No. 54 overall, the Vikings drafted confident Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander this evening.

Alexander was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school before signing on at Clemson. After a redshirt year, Alexander was a Freshman All-American in 2014 and was a third-team All-American last season as a redshirt sophomore before deciding to enter the draft.

In 27 career games at Clemson, he recorded 52 tackles and broke up a dozen passes. But he was unable to record an interception in college.

The 22-year-old was measured at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds at the NFL scouting combine, where he boasted that he was the best cornerback in this draft class. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at his pro day.

Coach Mike Zimmer in the past has expressed his preference for taller cornerbacks. But Alexander has experience in the slot and perhaps the Vikings will groom him to replace Captain Munnerlyn in that role.

It is the third time in four years that the Vikings used one of their top picks on a cornerback. In 2013, they drafted Xavier Rhodes in the first round. Last year, the Vikings used their top pick on Trae Waynes.

The Vikings were set to be back on the clock at pick No. 86 in the third round. But they are done for the night after trading that pick to the Dolphins for a sixth-rounder this year and picks in the third and fourth in 2017.

Through two nights, they have picked two players. Last night, they used their first-round pick on Mississippi wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.