The Atlanta Falcons selected Southeastern Louisiana cornerback Robert Alford with the No. 60 overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Alford is rated as the 11th-best cornerback prospect in this year’s draft class by SB Nation’s Dan Kadar.
NFL Draft results 2013: Robert Alford selected by Atlanta Falcons at No. 60
Robert Alford was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Despite his small-school pedigree, Alford has the skillset and athleticism to be a regular contributor at the next level.
SB Nation on Robert Alford
Alford tested very well as Southeastern Louisiana's lone NFL Combine participant. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, and posted an impressive 39-inch vertical leap and 11-foot broad jump. Alford also has good size and strength to go with his explosiveness. Alford was a fast riser up draft boards in recent months thanks to impressive performances at the 2013 NFL Combine and at Southeastern Louisiana’s pro day. His 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and 40” vertical leap were each tied for the fourth-best among all cornerbacks in Indianapolis. Scouts have praised Alford for his fluid cover skills and tenacity as a tackler.
Alford doesn’t possess ideal size, however. At 5’10, 188 pounds, he may not ready to handle the likes of Calvin Johnson at the line of scrimmage. Alford may still be able to add strength, however, and if he can, he has the skillset to be a solid contributor at the next level.
Alford is the second consecutive cornerback taken by the Atlanta Falcons in the draft this year after they took Marcus Trufant in the first round. Many mock draft predictions had Alford hopping off the boards towards the end of the first round, so it looks like the Falcons got quite a steal as Alford became the first Southeastern Louisiana player to be drafted since the school’s football program started again in 2003.
Combine results
Height: 5-10
Weight: 188 lbs.
Hand size: 9 1/2 inches
Arm length: 32 inches
40-yard dash: 4.39 seconds
Vertical jump: 40 inches
Broad jump: 132 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds
Bench press: 17 reps of 225 pounds
Alford earned Second Team All-Southland honors as a senior at Southeastern Louisiana, recording five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 11 games played.
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