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Green Bay Packers: Top Analyst Names AFC North Contender Among Best Jaire Alexander Destinations
Green Bay Packers: Top Analyst Names AFC North Contender Among Best Jaire Alexander Destinations 1 Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) catches a pass to score a touchdown in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Monday morning, reports indicated that the Green Bay Packers will be releasing cornerback Jaire Alexander due to a contract dispute – if not for additional, unreported reasons . In the aftermath, NFL pundits have been busy linking Alexander to potential new homes. NFL analyst Mina Kimes names the Baltimore Ravens as one possible destination.

Dismissed Green Bay Packers Star Would Be Solid Fit in Baltimore

Replying to a tweet from fellow ESPNer Ben Solak, Kimes noted the following about Alexander:

Solak’s original tweet:

The Bills are a popular suggestion for Alexander’s next landing spot. The Ravens have not been mentioned as often, but Alexander would give them exactly what Kimes says: a plus number two cornerback, alleviating the free agency departure of Brandon Stephens. Last season, Stephens played 92% of snaps for Baltimore.


Green Bay Packers: Top Analyst Names AFC North Contender Among Best Jaire Alexander Destinations 1 Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) catches a pass to score a touchdown in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Alexander can still be very good when healthy, but he has lost a step; as Solak says, it probably is not realistic to enlist him as the top guy.

He is, though, better than the player the Ravens signed as a Stephens replacement, the ex-Titan Chidobe Awuzie. In the seven games Alexander logged for Green Bay in 2024, his PFF grade of 75.2 ranked 25th among 222 qualified CBs. By comparison, Awuzie’s 64.4 ranked 91st.

Alexander would take the field alongside CB1 Marlon Humphrey (8th-ranked PFF grade), giving the Ravens an enviable coverage duo as long as the former can stay healthy. That is something he hasn’t done lately, appearing in just 14 games the past two seasons.


Green Bay Packers: Top Analyst Names AFC North Contender Among Best Jaire Alexander Destinations 2 Green Bay Packers defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley gives instruction to cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Ravens Would Have Strong CB Trio in Alexander, Humphrey and Nate Wiggins

Solak approved of Kimes’ proposition, replying, “Ravens. RAVENS. I’m listening.”

One Baltimore fan wasn’t sure about the fit. “Maybe the Lamar Louisville connection makes recruiting him easier if BAL is interested. Can’t imagine they want to pay him top CB2 money given their crowded CB room and needs at S depth though.”

The Ravens drafted a pair of cornerbacks (178th and 212th overall) and added Awuzie; 2024 rookie Nate Wiggins could take another step after playing 15 games last year, ranking 43rd in CB PFF grade. But Alexander brings more talent that any of Baltimore’s in-house options has shown and, from that standpoint, seems like an obviously beneficial addition. Even if Wiggins becomes the primary starter along with Humphrey, Alexander would be more than a solid third option.


Green Bay Packers: Top Analyst Names AFC North Contender Among Best Jaire Alexander Destinations 3 Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) tackles Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) during the first quarter of their game Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Solider Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Money would be the main issue. In Green Bay, the former Louisville Cardinal signed four-year, $84 million rookie extension before the Packers cut him halfway through. Shelling out a yearly paycheck anywhere near that would be an overpay for an injury-prone CB2. Given Alexander’s inability to stay on the field since the extension kicked in, his value has taken a substantial hit. If he recognizes that and is willing to sign at an economic price, the Ravens should at least keep him in mind.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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