Lorenzo

Alexander

Alexander was part of Arizona’s first cuts. He has experience at both inside and outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. A special teams standout, Alexander’s signing could pose a threat to Sio Moore’s roster spot.

Alexander was given a standing ovation Sunday in what figures to be his final game in Buffalo. The Bills also surprised him by having his daughter Zoie sing the national anthem before their loss to the Jets. “It was a decision I made before the season,” said the 36-year-old, who acknowledged that 2019 will indeed be his final lap around the track after a successful 13-year NFL stint. “My mind hasn’t even processed transition yet, so I’m still in this thing 100 percent.” The two-time Pro Bowler totaled 55 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in 16 appearances including seven starts for the playoff-bound Bills this season.

“If you ask me today, yeah, this is my last year,” Alexander said back in January. “At some point you’ve got to eventually walk away from the game and start the second half of your life.” Alexander has had a late-career renaissance in Buffalo, recording 22 sacks in three seasons after notching just nine his first nine years in the league. Buffalo re-signed Alexander to a one-year deal in January.

Even at 35, Alexander graded out as one of Pro Football Focus’ top-ten pass-rushing outside linebackers this season, registering 6.5 sacks with strong marks in run defense. In three years with the Bills, Alexander has 22 sacks after managing nine total from 2006-2015. He’s also a special teams ace.

“They’ve got me over there learning some of the tight end position,” he said. “But it’s more so being ready like I was last year, instead of just throwing me in there when somebody got hurt.” Alexander would likely primarily be a blocking tight end. Position flexibility makes him more valuable to the Redskins.

He’ll back-up London Fletcher and Perry Riley. Alexander started 12 games at outside linebacker in 2010, but played primarily special teams in 2011, making just 16 tackles. He won’t be worth monitoring in IDP leagues.

Alexander is a career special teamer, but the Cards are giving him a chance to earn a big role on defense. A major 2012 disappointment, Schofield managed four sacks across nine starts before year-ending ankle surgery in November. Pro Football Focus graded him poorly as both a pass rusher and run defender.

Both sides want to get a deal done, while Alexander says he’s willing to take a small hometown discount. “I’m willing to take less for the Redskins, but they have to be close. They can’t be way off.” A special teams linchpin, Alexander played 308 snaps on defense in 2012.

Alexander and Washington were in discussions around the time of the Combine, but the sides were “not close” and talks were broken off. Now that the Redskins have locked up a couple of their restricted free agents, they’ve turned their attention back to the backup linebacker and special teams ace.

The Redskins want to keep Alexander, but their latest offers aren’t going to be enough to prevent him from reaching the open market. A Pro Bowler on special teams, Alexander should be able to land a multi-year deal this offseason.