The first undrafted free agent to reportedly sign with the Seattle Seahawks was Zy Alexander. The former LSU cornerback was widely projected to go in the fifth round but did not hear his name called by any of the 32 teams. Alexander has a chance to enter the fray in a group that, with the exception of the starters, we have basically no certainty about.
Will his talent be enough to earn one of the last roster spots?
**Who is Zy Alexander?**
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A’Zyrian Alexander began his career as a quarterback. He came out of high school turning heads as both a quarterback and a baseball player, playing leadoff hitter and outfielder. He was a starter his freshman year and as a sophomore he began playing free safety, earning honors on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, in his junior year, he suffered a collarbone injury that caused him to miss all but two games of the season. He returned as a senior and played offense and defense again, this time seeing snaps as a wide receiver and returner.
He arrived at College as a 0-star recruit. He received only FCS offers and accepted an offer from Southeastern Louisiana who were also interested in his baseball skills, but Alexander preferred to focus solely on football. There, he was given the chance to choose which side he wanted to play, offense or defense, and he chose to play defense, as a defensive back.
He entered the transfer portal and caught the attention of teams after being selected as an FCS All American in 2021 and 2022. Baylor, Houston, Miami, Michigan State, USC, LSU and West Virginia made them offers and he chose LSU.
In two seasons at LSU, Alexander totaled 77 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 11 pass breakups and four interceptions. He played 19 games with the Tigers and started 18. He started eight games in 2023 before suffering a torn ACL, recording 44 tackles (30 solo), seven pass breakups and two interceptions.
In 2024, he started 10 of 11 games played and recorded 33 tackles (20 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four pass breakups and two interceptions with a [PFF](https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641882&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpff.com&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fieldgulls.com%2F2025%2F5%2F27%2F24437488%2Fseattle-seahawks-udfa-profile-cornerback-zy-alexander-carve-out-roster-spot) grade of 81.2, 15% target rate, 43% completion rate allowed, 53.2 passer rating allowed.
**Analyzing the cornerback situation**
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Just before the draft, there was a rumor that Seattle was considering trading Riq Woolen. I disagree with that decision, but I understand some of the points made by the proponents of the trade (injuries, inconsistency, and last year of contract). In any case, the 2025 draft came and went and no CB was chosen for Seattle, extinguishing any possibility of this trade once and for all.
The issue is that the group after Devon Witherspoon and Woolen does not inspire confidence. Josh Jobe started last year and should be the team’s CB3 at first. Nehemiah Pritchett would need to make a big leap in quality to threaten Jobe, and Shemar Jean-Charles has only been a backup in his career.
### **A new Coby Bryant?**
Alexander plays with impressive physicality. His frame also seems to be capable of receiving more mass and this could be interesting for him in an eventual move to safety (which does little to help his RAS, as shown above). Versatility is essential to stay in the NFL if you are not among the team’s stars.
This could help if Alexander were used as a safety, a position he has played before and which would “hide” his lack of top-speed. It would be a similar transition to Coby Bryant (who is in the final year of his contract) in the NFL, except that the position was completely new to the Cincy CB.
He has good aggression and the mentality to attack the backfield and make tackles. These characteristics, as well as his history, make him a good option to test with backups in mind.
It is difficult to find a defensive back, especially a CB, with this willingness to get involved in tackles and the running game. This could be a big difference for him.
**Suffocating coverage**
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Competes on every rep trying to force the incomplete pass. The receiver tries to catch Alexander out of position but he remains patient in the best “**step-quick**” style of the Seahawks CBs. It’s a shame he missed the interception opportunity.
Good timing on contact at the snap. He stays with the receiver and, at the top of the route, realizes there is a chance to cut. He comes back and makes the play.
You can’t just be big, you need to have the mentality of a physical CB. Alexander is like that. He competes very physically for each snap and here he squeezes the receiver against the sideline using it as an ally in the play.
**Processing/Ball skills**
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Good job processing the vertical route from the slot, adjusting and making the play.
Marks in off coverage expecting something deep. After the WR’s first steps he realizes there is a great chance of the fade route and positions himself to prevent the TD.
It is very difficult to hit a pass against Alexander when he is close to the receiver. He is physical and struggles a lot to prevent the complete pass. His background as a QB and WR helps in understanding concepts, attacking the ball, as well as his history as an outfielder in baseball.
**Where does he need to improve?**
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Does not have elite change of direction ability to move in sync with the quick cuts of more agile receivers. Note that in the play in question the receiver is Johnny Wilson, who is currently the Eagles’ TE.
He takes a while to react and the WR takes advantage of the route. He doesn’t have the speed to get to the WR but he doesn’t give up on the play. Alexander takes advantage of a bad pass from Jaxson Dart and makes the play.
He can be inconsistent with his press coverage (especially timing). Sometimes he lets the WR attack him first and takes Alexander out of position quite easily.
He takes a while to read the cut and misses the tackle. As you saw in previous plays, he’s not a bad tackler, quite the opposite. However, I noticed a certain inconsistency at times. This is something that the coaches can work on.
**Final Thoughts**
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The team needs a CB for when Spoon lines up as nickel. The front office knows this so much that before the Draft they brought Shaquill Griffin for a visit and after the draft, Rasul Douglas. Both left without a contract but the need still exists. So, even though he arrives with the profile of an UDFA, he has a chance to beat other names on the current roster. If the Seahawks sign a veteran, Alexander’s chances decrease.
I believe he is a player worth the bet. He is versatile and physical. If the injuries he has had are isolated cases, if he gains some mass he can be a good safety and an excellent cornerback for Cover 3. Remember that it is not always possible to have only stars in one sector. The important thing is to have useful players and when they are cheap like Mike Jackson and Josh Jobe himself, that is excellent.