Green Bay Packers pros and cons of picking Jaire Alexander
![CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: Jaire Alexander #10 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after intercepting the ball during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: Jaire Alexander #10 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after intercepting the ball during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0d9335b74d99b10c3fd3e31ad3230f8a8a3abebe642c0cc15f4a31649268acf8.jpg)
Con: Injury history
Alexander was a dynamite corner in 2016, showing the tape of a Top 15 pick, but he had what was essentially a lost 2017 after suffering both hand and leg injuries. Even when he was on the field, the tape showed that he wasn’t near 100 percent, struggling against the speed of the ACC at times.
With his thin frame and shorter stature, that could be a concern for the Packers, especially after seeing how much college injuries lingered with Kevin King. King suffered shoulder injuries at the University of Washington and they cost him nearly half of his rookie season last year.
Unfortunately, injuries seem to be the theme for Green Bay’s defense with other guys like Nick Perry and Clay Matthews also struggling to stay healthy. As they say, the best ability is availability.
The Packers must be confident Alexander is healthy and good to go in 2018, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. If he struggles like some of the players before him, it will turn out to be an unnecessary risk.