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NFL Draft Profile: Robert Alford, CB, Southeast Louisiana

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Measurements: 5’10", 188 pounds
Strength: 4.39 forty with 17 reps on the bench
Projected Round: 2-3

This kid possesses very good press ability. He is good enough to match up on outside receivers and has the talent to be a shut down guy along with being a successful return man. If I were the ‘skins and one of the top safeties does not drop I would highly consider taking him with their second round pick because I feel he is vastly underrated. Not only is his press man coverage good but his ability to play zone and peel off his guy and his route recognition is phenomenal. He most always puts himself in position in zone to make a play on the ball and possesses great quickness and recovery speed which aids him in baiting QB’s to make throws that he can make a play on.

Alford's open field tackling is good not great. From the film I have seen, he has the ability to set an edge on run plays and often slips off the receiver to make the tackle. I get the feel he is not the best of this draft class as far as physicality goes because of his size but he has room to get bigger.

Overall Alford’s coverage skills are well above most prospects in this draft. The problem is the competition he faced wasn’t always the best but he never faltered. From the Senior Bowl footage I watched he held his own and then some against the better competition.