Paging Draftniks: Bills sign LSU CB Zy Alexander (and some other dudes)

[947]

Zy Alexander Draft Profile: Bio

A small-town Louisiana product who played quarterback, receiver, and safety in high school, Zy Alexander took the road less traveled to become one of the more intriguing cornerback prospects in this draft class. After going unranked as a recruit, Alexander landed at Southeastern Louisiana where he quickly established himself as an FCS standout, earning All-American honors in 2021 after picking off six passes. His dominant play at the FCS level earned him a shot with LSU, where he smoothly transitioned to SEC competition as a two-year starter before declaring for the NFL Draft.

The 6'2", 194-pound corner brings an aggressive mentality to the field that shows up in both coverage and run support. Despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury midway through 2023, Alexander bounced back strong in 2024, starting 10 games and showing no lingering effects while tallying 33 tackles and two clutch interceptions - including a pivotal fourth quarter pick in the end zone against Ole Miss that helped spark an overtime victory.

Alexander's path from unheralded recruit to SEC starter speaks to his developmental trajectory and competitive drive. His baseball background as a state champion outfielder shows up in his natural ball-tracking ability, while his experience playing quarterback gives him an edge in reading route concepts and understanding offensive tendencies. Over his five-year college career spanning two levels of competition, Alexander racked up 13 interceptions and consistently improved his technique and physicality.

 

 

Scouting Report: Summary

Every NFL team is looking for lengthy corners who can match up with bigger receivers while holding their own in run support, and Alexander fits that mold with room to grow. His combination of size, ball skills and competitive toughness will appeal to zone-heavy schemes where he can play with his eyes on the quarterback and use his instincts to make plays.

While he may need time to refine his press-man technique and improve his transitional quickness, Alexander has the tools to develop into a quality NFL starter on the outside. His background as a multi-position athlete shows up in his natural feel for the game, and his steady improvement from FCS to SEC competition suggests his best football could still be ahead of him.

Alexander profiles as a Day 2 selection whose blend of length, zone instincts, and reliable tackling will appeal to teams looking for an immediate contributor with starting upside. Teams running primarily Cover-3 concepts will particularly value his skill set, as his natural feel in zone coverage and physical presence in run support project well to the NFL level. Though he may never be a shutdown man corner, Alexander has the makings of a quality starter who brings added value with his ball production and competitive nature.

[MJS]

1 hour ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Can we put the bar higher than Levi Wallace, please?

 

The guy was barely an NFL caliber backup CB.  You are not winning super bowls with guys like Levi starting or even playing.  

This is so out of touch with reality. Every team has 10 Levi Wallace type players. He's a depth player.

1 hour ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

But will another team grab him up next Tuesday if we cut him?  I suppose nobody else wanted him today, so maybe no one wants him next week either??  If that's their plan, may be best to not play him Saturday so nobody sees him

If he was available on August 20th, why wouldn't he be on August 27th, regardless of the 3rd preseason game?

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 hour ago, Special K said:

 

 

So do I!!

 

So do you!!😂

 

 

You know who doesn't? Nyheim Hines. Oddly they are tied lol

[Buffalo716]

He's a higher level talent than Levi Wallace hopefully his preparation is up to the task

 

Good size and length , adept in zone ... Very prepared in cover 3 looks

 

A willing tackler with room to grow ... I like the upside in a year or 2... He can be a solid depth piece with progression 

[SoonerBillsFan]

Wasn't this a guy we all talked about pre draft?  He seems like a solid pickup to stash for a year on the PS

[Maine-iac]

I get it that people didn't think Wallace was a shutdown CB but most of our secondary gave up well over a 100 rating to opposing QB's last year.  In his time here Wallace never gave up higher than an 85 rating for a season.  If one of these rookies could come in and play that well their first year I'd be pretty happy.  I have a little higher hopes for Hairston but after Elam I'm hoping we get at least a serviceable starter.

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Can we put the bar higher than Levi Wallace, please?

 

The guy was barely an NFL caliber backup CB.  You are not winning super bowls with guys like Levi starting or even playing.  

lol…..we’re talking about an UDFA that was cut a month ago and still wasn’t signed to anyone’s 90 man roster.  
 

You can set the bar wherever you’d like to set it.  I’ll be realistic about it.  What teams are winning super bowls because of UDFAs that they signed on August 20?  

None

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, Maine-iac said:

I get it that people didn't think Wallace was a shutdown CB but most of our secondary gave up well over a 100 rating to opposing QB's last year.  In his time here Wallace never gave up higher than an 85 rating for a season.  If one of these rookies could come in and play that well their first year I'd be pretty happy.  I have a little higher hopes for Hairston but after Elam I'm hoping we get at least a serviceable starter.

Wallace was perfect for McDermott system 

 

He was a smart long corner ... They'd have to push him occasionally to try to make plays on the ball but he was never egregiously out of spot

[Maine-iac]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

He's a higher level talent than Levi Wallace hopefully his preparation is up to the task

 

Good size and length , adept in zone ... Very prepared in cover 3 looks

 

A willing tackler with room to grow ... I like the upside in a year or 2... He can be a solid depth piece with progression 

For what it's worth the scouting reports make it seem like Strong and Alexander are very similiar in size and speed with Strong being a better man defender and Alexander being a zone guy

Edited August 20 by Maine-iac

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I very very much doubt a team is claiming him for their 53.

Especially after having the ability to sign him to their 90 for the last 4 weeks- but chose not to

9 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Wasn't this a guy we all talked about pre draft?  He seems like a solid pickup to stash for a year on the PS

He is.  Great pickup for the ps squad.  I almost took him in @Virgil‘s mock draft in rd 3 this offseason.  Solid move with upside 

[CA OC Bills Fan]

4 hours ago, Logic said:

Davis kicked well.

I think Bass is just back to full health and it was a numbers crunch.

Hopeful they can get Davis back on the practice squad for the season. I think it's smart for teams to have a kicker on the practice squad, especially if it's a talented rookie like Davis, and especially if your kicker gets occasional stretches of the yips that you're not 100% sure he's gotten past (like Bass).

I can't agree with having a kicker on the PS. Very unlikely we'd have a game day call up for a kicker unless Bass was injured. If injured during a game, we'd get by for the rest of the game, same thing if he's struggling. If he was injured, we'd have a mid-week tryout session for a replacement kicker for the time he was injured. Having had Davis in camp, the staff already has some idea of what to expect of him and that would either give him a leg up (lol) for the competition or they'd know they wanted to find better. No need to waste a PS signing on a kicker.

[BillsShredder83]

24 minutes ago, CA OC Bills Fan said:

I can't agree with having a kicker on the PS. Very unlikely we'd have a game day call up for a kicker unless Bass was injured. If injured during a game, we'd get by for the rest of the game, same thing if he's struggling. If he was injured, we'd have a mid-week tryout session for a replacement kicker for the time he was injured. Having had Davis in camp, the staff already has some idea of what to expect of him and that would either give him a leg up (lol) for the competition or they'd know they wanted to find better. No need to waste a PS signing on a kicker.

How many PS spots are there?  Just curious as to how important each is... I know theyre important, but a # would help gauge for me.  Im not worried about it, but if the guy was a good kicker in college i could understand stashing him, developing, and having him in the wings if Bass goes loopy again... or possibly next year if needing to cut Bass.  Having a guy on could give us a cushion and trust level with staff.... pretty crucial for a SB contender with a very good kicker, but one who could go either way after having the yips a year ago

 

Again, not necessarily in fear of losing this dude i dunno much about, just playing devils advocate a bit for why i could see a K making a PS

Edited August 20 by BillsShredder83

[DCofNC]

5 hours ago, rusty shackleford said:

Did he even make it into town?

Just one less buyer for Josh’s house when he leaves for LA 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I very very much doubt a team is claiming him for their 53.

 

True but next week can't a team claim him for their PS.  Just like the Bills usually sign one or two players cut from some other team  to their PS.  Often players will choose the team they feel they have the best chance of sticking with or even getting called up. Maybe that is the Bills, or could it be some other team with a real weak secondary??

[The Jokeman]

7 hours ago, 17islongenough said:

Very odd timing on releasing Davis.   Anyone think it's odd they released him after it come out he beat Allen in a game?  

More likely his missed FG attempt cost him and/or Bass looking good. Honestly I wouldn't be shocked if re-sign him to the PS or maybe even a vet like Greg Joseph to have on call if Bass doesn't look like his hip ready early on in the season. 

[Paup 1995MVP]

4 hours ago, MJS said:

This is so out of touch with reality. Every team has 10 Levi Wallace type players. He's a depth player.

If he was available on August 20th, why wouldn't he be on August 27th, regardless of the 3rd preseason game?

He was starting for us.  And it was painful.  

[Paup 1995MVP]

4 hours ago, MJS said:

This is so out of touch with reality. Every team has 10 Levi Wallace type players. He's a depth player.

If he was available on August 20th, why wouldn't he be on August 27th, regardless of the 3rd preseason game?

My comment has nothing to do w Alexander.  He may be the next Darelle Revis for all I know.  And that would be awesome.  He is coming from a good program.  I really hope he balls out! 
 

i was just never a Levi Wallace fan is all.  Didn’t like his game.  (Because basically he didn’t have much game to like)

 

I am sure everyone on this board has guys they did not like for one reason or another.  

[Richard Noggin]

4 hours ago, 947 said:

Zy Alexander Draft Profile: Bio

A small-town Louisiana product who played quarterback, receiver, and safety in high school, Zy Alexander took the road less traveled to become one of the more intriguing cornerback prospects in this draft class. After going unranked as a recruit, Alexander landed at Southeastern Louisiana where he quickly established himself as an FCS standout, earning All-American honors in 2021 after picking off six passes. His dominant play at the FCS level earned him a shot with LSU, where he smoothly transitioned to SEC competition as a two-year starter before declaring for the NFL Draft.

The 6'2", 194-pound corner brings an aggressive mentality to the field that shows up in both coverage and run support. Despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury midway through 2023, Alexander bounced back strong in 2024, starting 10 games and showing no lingering effects while tallying 33 tackles and two clutch interceptions - including a pivotal fourth quarter pick in the end zone against Ole Miss that helped spark an overtime victory.

Alexander's path from unheralded recruit to SEC starter speaks to his developmental trajectory and competitive drive. His baseball background as a state champion outfielder shows up in his natural ball-tracking ability, while his experience playing quarterback gives him an edge in reading route concepts and understanding offensive tendencies. Over his five-year college career spanning two levels of competition, Alexander racked up 13 interceptions and consistently improved his technique and physicality.

 

 

Scouting Report: Summary

Every NFL team is looking for lengthy corners who can match up with bigger receivers while holding their own in run support, and Alexander fits that mold with room to grow. His combination of size, ball skills and competitive toughness will appeal to zone-heavy schemes where he can play with his eyes on the quarterback and use his instincts to make plays.

While he may need time to refine his press-man technique and improve his transitional quickness, Alexander has the tools to develop into a quality NFL starter on the outside. His background as a multi-position athlete shows up in his natural feel for the game, and his steady improvement from FCS to SEC competition suggests his best football could still be ahead of him.

Alexander profiles as a Day 2 selection whose blend of length, zone instincts, and reliable tackling will appeal to teams looking for an immediate contributor with starting upside. Teams running primarily Cover-3 concepts will particularly value his skill set, as his natural feel in zone coverage and physical presence in run support project well to the NFL level. Though he may never be a shutdown man corner, Alexander has the makings of a quality starter who brings added value with his ball production and competitive nature.

 

Bills defensive profile be like

 

[MJS]

2 hours ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

He was starting for us.  And it was painful.  

Because of injury. That is when depth players generally play. Cole Bishop was injured and then got behind the curve. But he was actually a good tackler and not as bad as everyone made him out to be. You don't want him to start, but he gives you a decent baseline if he is forced into action.

Edited August 21 by MJS

[BobbyC81]

11 hours ago, 17islongenough said:

Very odd timing on releasing Davis.   Anyone think it's odd they released him after it come out he beat Allen in a game?  

Why not let him kick off in the last preseason game and give Bass a couple more weeks?