Dairyland Express
Fansided

Is Green Bay Packers’ Jaire Alexander slumping?

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Packers defeated the Vikings 43-34. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Packers defeated the Vikings 43-34. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Green Bay Packers’ star cornerback Jaire Alexander appears to be in the middle of a slump following a very strong start to the season.

Ever since being selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jaire Alexander has surpassed every expectation the Green Bay Packers have had of him. Following a strong rookie season, he was even better in his sophomore campaign and appeared to take another leap into the upper echelon of cornerbacks in 2020 until a recent slump.

Early in the season, analysts raved about Alexander’s coverage ability. He possesses elite quickness and speed to stick with any wide receiver plus fluid hips to change direction on a whim. He had great early season success against some very good receivers and basically shut them down.

Unfortunately, he’s appeared to hit a rut and is in the middle of a slump.

Heading into their Week 8 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, Alexander had PFF’s highest cornerback grade at 90.8–two full points higher than second-placed Jamel Dean. However, he’s since fallen to fourth overall with an 80.6 grade–dropping just over 10 points in four games.

He wasn’t bad against the Vikings–giving up just one reception for 12 yards in the contest. And he left the next game early with a concussion before missing the following week as he recovered. It’s been these last two weeks that have been concerning. He gave up four receptions for 55 yards against the Indianapolis Colts before having his worst game of the season last Sunday against the Chicago Bears. In that contest (which we must say was a blowout for most of the game which certainly contributed), he gave up five receptions for 47 yards. PFF awarded him his lowest grade of the season at 45.8 thanks in large part to a poor performance in the run defense department according to their graders.

Next. 4 Packers who are getting hot at the right time. dark

The Packers won’t see another great receiver until Week 16 when they take on the Tennessee Titans and A.J. Brown. They also see Allen Robinson and the Bears again in the season finale. Alexander has a couple of weeks to get his feet under him again and re-establish the momentum he had early in the season. He has all the talent in the world and should be able to get back to earning the all-important high grades from PFF.

Home/Green Bay Packers