St. Louis Rams Closing Evaluations: What Grades Do the Safeties Receive?

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Maurice Alexander: Alexander, a St. Louis native who received Kam Chancellor comparisons when the Rams surprisingly selected him in the fourth round of this year’s draft, was very underwhelming early on. He was inactive for seven of the Rams’ first nine games, and when he got in, he was not at all noticeable in his limited special teams role. It was especially concerning when the Rams traded for safety Mark Barron at the deadline, as he’s extremely similar stylistically to Alexander.

However, Alexander cemented his spot on the 46-man gameday roster when he had two big hits on special teams in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos. From then on, he became a valuable special teams contributor, and he finished the season with seven special teams tackles while dressing for the remainder of the games.

Considering how well starting safeties T.J. McDonald and Rodney McLeod played during 2014, it may be difficult for Alexander to break into the starting lineup. With Barron likely to replace Jo-Lonn Dunbar in the lineup next year at linebacker, however, Alexander may be able to work his way into the group next year through some special packages and seems poised to move up the depth chart. The Rams are going to (and rightfully should) catch some flak for taking Alexander, a project from a smaller school, rather than wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who went on to amass 549 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 26 catches for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his second-half efforts should give the Rams renewed faith that Alexander can be a solid contributor in the future.

GRADE: B-

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