LSU Football 2015 NFL Draft Profiles: Kwon Alexander

Kwon Alexander

Position: Linebacker
Combine Height/Weight: 6-0, 227 pounds
LSU Listed Height/Weight: 6-2, 227
Hand Size: 9.25 inches
Arm Length: 30.25 inches
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.55
Bench-Press Reps (of 225 pounds): 24
Vertical Jump: 36 inches
Broad Jump: 121 inches
Short/Long Shuttle: 4.20/12.04
3-Cone Drill: 7.14 seconds

2014 Season: 90 tackles (led team), 7.5 tackles for loss (1.5 sacks) and 2 forced fumbles. Named second-team All-SEC.

Strengths

Classic pursuit linebacker...tremendous speed and quickness...can react quickly to plays and course-correct on misdirection or on mistakes...physical player who will throw his pads into linemen at the second level or into tight ends/receivers on a release...recognizes route concepts well, and keeps himself in good position in zone coverage...has the speed to stay with most tight ends.

Weaknesses

Lacks ideal size for the NFL...can be blocked in the short area, and will struggle to fill gaps against power blocks...can be vulnerable to misdirection and play-action...not tremendously disciplined in his reads -- takes a lot of false steps, counting on his speed to bail him out at times...will take himself out of position on plays.

Verdict

Alexander's game translates well to the NFL, but it's very scheme-specific. He's the textbook "Tampa Two" type of Will linebacker, but fewer teams seem to be running that defense as a base these days. That kind of puts him in something of a limbo where he'll be much higher on some teams' boards than others. Still, he's an athletic linebacker with a lot of experience in a big-time conference, and that alone should get him to the middle of the draft as a special teams/developmental prospect. Don't be surprised if he sneaks in to the third or even maybe the second round if a team really feels like he fills a need.