Familiar Vikings Defender Not Slated to Return in 2022
When Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman were terminated on January 10th, the odds of former players returning to the roster — commonplace during the Zimmer-Spielman days — drastically dwindled.
Such is the case for cornerback Mackensie Alexander, who is not expected to return with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
Alexander was drafted by Spielman in the 2nd Round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the pick before the Cincinnati Bengals chose wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Alexander played the duration of his rookie contract in Minnesota, trekking to Cincinnati for one season in 2020.
Then, evidently lonesome for home cooking, Alexander returned to the Vikings in 2021, filling out CB depth with Patrick Peterson, Cameron Dantzler, and Bashaud Breeland.
But Alexander struggled in 2021 — mightily.
The start to his season wasn’t gruesome, but in the middle of the 2021 campaign, something changed. Overall, Alexander tallied a 40.2 Pro Football Focus grade, which ranked — you guessed it — worst in the NFL among cornerbacks. The aforementioned Breeland was close at 47.2, but Alexander took home the dubious distinction.
Ergo, the news of Alexander’s probable departure from Minnesota is not gut-wrenching. Of course, the Vikings are skimpy on the cornerback section of the roster at the moment, only employing Cameron Dantzler, Kris Boyd, Harrison Hand, and Parry Nickerson. But more free-agent acquisitions and draft picks are expected to bolster the Vikings CB depth.
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Alexander, 28, has accrued three career interceptions in his career. His best season was 2018, grading a commendable 78.1 via PFF.
When the dust settles in free agency, Alexander is expected to sign with a different NFL team on a veteran-minimum contract.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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