2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns
By Samuel Teets
18. Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, CB (Same Pick)
The Packers are only the second team in the redraft to stick with their actual selection from 2018. Alexander is still a polarizing prospect with a difficult amount of potential to evaluate. At his best, Alexander looks like a true shutdown corner. At his worst, the Louisville product gets abused by the league’s top receivers.
Despite some of the criticism Alexander faced through his first two seasons in the NFL, the former Louisville Cardinal is the best cornerback on Green Bay’s roster. Even as a rookie, Alexander saw a ton of playing time. That year, the aging Tramon Williams played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps while Alexander appeared 71 percent of the time. This past season, Alexander played 99% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps.
A member of the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team, there isn’t a cornerback from the 2018 class that’s head and shoulders ahead of Alexander. Sure, Denzel Ward went at fourth overall in reality and 13th overall in the redraft, but Alexander could surpass the Ohio State product with one definitive season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Alexander tied for the league-lead in dropped interceptions last season with four, which suggests he’s a few small mistakes away from a big season. If he intercepted all of those passes, Alexander would’ve finished the year with six and tied Anthony Harris for the most in the league.
Back in May, the third-year cornerback also appeared on PFF’s list of the top 25 players under 25. He’s a star in the making, and Green Bay won’t pass on taking him a second time.