DRAFT TRACKER 2018

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.

Evaluating Jackson against the NFL standards for the position will cause him to come up short. However, he has rare speed and athleticism and can single-handedly win games. Jackson's accuracy is clearly spotty and teams must decide the level of accuracy they are willing to live with relative to his ability to create explosive plays. Jackson may need to operate in an offense ready to integrate RPOs (run/pass options) along with heavy play-action. Like Deshaun Watson in 2017, Jackson has the ability to counter mental mistakes and turnovers with a high number of explosive, touchdown-making plays. He has star potential, but his success will rest heavily upon his ability to stay healthy.

Three-year starter with experience taking snaps at both tackle spots, Christian possesses good overall athleticism and foot quickness with the arm length NFL evaluators covet. He needs to improve his upper body strength in order make better use of his length in pass protection and to help with redirect blocks. If Christian can improve his anchor and functional power, he could become an average starter, but if not, he will be a swing tackle trying to hold off competition for his job.

Long-limbed and angular with physical traits but a lack of power at the point of attack, Young is still in the process of recovery after a devastating hip injury suffered in his bowl game in 2015. Young's tape near the end of the year was substantially better than early on and there is a chance he could round back into his old form, but Combine medicals will be essential in giving him that chance. A move from 4-3 end to a role as stand-up outside linebacker could benefit him.

Physical combo safety with the ball skills and acceleration to play up high and the size and toughness to handle run support duties near the line. Williams' inconsistencies as a tackler are about technique and angles rather than toughness so those issues are correctable. Williams has the play demeanor and athletic ability to compete for a roster spot and the fact that he specializes as a special teams ace simply improves his chances.

Hearns is a difficult projection due to the dichotomy between good and bad in his game. On one hand, Hearns plays with extreme lower body tightness that seeps into his run defense, change of direction and ability to bend the edge. On the other hand, he plays with athletic (albeit upright) rush movements and quality hand play that create sack opportunities for him. A team may be willing to bet on the rush talent and look past what he struggles with, but he'll need to become a productive special teams player to stick long term.