Minnesota Vikings: Top 5 breakout player candidates for 2018

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 10: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)UST 10: Dalvin Cook /

3 of 5

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Mackensie Alexander #20 of the Minnesota Vikings walks out on the field for warm ups prior to the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

3. Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback

Things started to click a bit for Mackensie Alexander in 2017.

The former second-round pick out of Clemson was considered one of the players with the highest upside coming into the 2016 NFL Draft, and the Vikings felt like they’d gotten a steal with the 54th overall selection.

Alexander did not play much in his rookie season, but finished 2017 with 15 tackles, six pass breakups, and an interception in his 14 games.

The Vikings are once again loaded at the cornerback position, but Alexander has a chance to step up and earn a more significant role in 2018.

He played roughly one-third of the defensive snaps in 2017, so with a substantial increase in work, Alexander has a chance to make his special ball-hawking ability very useful on a talented defense.

Home/Power Rankings