Ravens' Lamar Jackson gets wish, extra scrutiny after two-time Pro Bowl signing

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Alexander declined more money elsewhere to join the Ravens. 

When asked his opinion about Baltimore pursuing Alexander on Tuesday, Jackson interjected before the reporter could finish, saying, "Go get him, Eric."

"I love all our corners, don't get me wrong," Jackson clarified. "But go get him, Eric," the two-time MVP reiterated.

Alexander and Jackson both attended Louisville from 2015-17 and were selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The signing demonstrates the type of influence Jackson has on the organization. Considering his importance to the team's success, Jackson has earned the right to have an opinion on the team's signings.

But with that power comes increased scrutiny.

Jackson is already under pressure to win a Super Bowl. He squashed criticism about his playoff track record with two strong games during the 2024 postseason, but until he adds a Lombardi Trophy to his resume, he'll remain under a microscope on the field.

With DeCosta heeding Jackson's advice and signing Alexander, his managerial skills will also be worth monitoring.

Over the past two seasons, Alexander, 28, has started 14 of a possible 34 games due to injuries, including a knee injury in 2024. He was limited to four regular-season games in 2021 due to a shoulder injury.

When healthy, however, Alexander is among the league's best corners. Per NFL Pro, last season, the Packers allowed quarterbacks to complete 61 percent of their attempts with Alexander on the field and 70.7 percent off it. 

In Baltimore, Alexander joins a secondary that includes 2024 first-team All-Pro Marlon Humphrey, eight-year veteran Chidobe Awuzie and promising second-year corner Nate Wiggins, giving the Ravens potentially one of the league's most formidable secondaries.

Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Alexander, Awuzie and Humphrey rank in the top five in tight window target rate, which measures the rate of targets when a receiver has less than a yard of separation, among outside cornerbacks with at least 250 targets since 2018.

Taking into account the sheer volume of talented AFC quarterbacks, loading up on defensive backs is probably a good idea. Still, Jackson better hope the Alexander signing doesn't backfire. Assistant general managers usually aren't afforded many mistakes.