Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander Becomes Shutdown CB Before our Eyes

Right before our eyes, Jaire Alexander has developed into a shutdown cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.

Jaire Alexander was the first pick of the Brian Gutekunst era as General Manager of the Green Bay Packers. He was taken that year a bit unconventionally as Gutey made a trade with New Orleans, moving from the 14th pick to the 27th. Only to then trade back up to the 18th pick to select Alexander. And clearly, it’s a move that’s paid off.

It didn’t take long for fans, the media, or members of the Green Bay Packers to realize that Alexander had that “it” quality. From Year 1 to Year 2, he made that sophomore leap that so many successful NFL players have made, reducing his completion percentage from 64.6 percent as a rookie to 57.7 percent in Year 2 and that was with being targeted 104 times compared to 79 times the year before.

Alexander also made more tackles in 2019, he had more interceptions, forced 14 pass breakups to just six as a rookie, and the opposing quarterback’s passer rating dipped as well. Alexander had turned into a solid NFL cornerback, but in Year 3, he has gone from very good to shutdown right before our eyes.

According to Pro Football Focus ($), Alexander was targeted 69 times in 2020 and allowed a completion rate of only 50.7 percent. And on those completions, he gave up only 9.6 yards per catch and a lowly 4.9 yards per attempt. On top of that, he had a sack that resulted in a safety Week 1, an interception, a forced fumble, 13 pass breakups, and the quarterback’s passer rating against him plummeted to 68.3.

If grades are your thing, he was Pro Football Focus’ top-graded cornerback this season and first in their Wins Above Replacement metric as well. I really could go on and on about Alexander, but perhaps what’s even more impressive than his overall numbers is who he put these numbers up against.

Alexander was oftentimes tasked with covering the opponent’s best receiver, and week after week, he shut them down. This includes players such as Justin Jefferson, Allen Robinson, Mike Evans, AJ Brown, and several others.

Yet, despite the stiff competition week after week, only twice all season did he give up more than 50 receiving yards in a game. Quarterbacks never posted a passer rating over 100 against him, and in seven games, he didn’t allow a reception against the opponent’s top receiver. As good as Alexander was all season, his finest stretch may have come early on when he faced Calvin Ridley, Mike Evans, and Will Fuller three weeks in a row and held them to no receptions on only four targets.

Below is a look at the resume Alexander put together this season against some of the best receivers that the NFL has to offer:

As a result, Alexander has been named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl team, and on Friday, he was also named a second-team All-Pro as well.

During each game, or perhaps more so on the film since we don’t always see Alexander on the television copy with him being targeted so little, his ability and skill-set as a cornerback leap off the screen. However, earlier this season when Aaron Rodgers was asked about what makes Alexander so good, he said it’s the intangibles:

"“I think he’s a great player, I really do, I think he’s got a great disposition,” Rodgers said via Packers Wire. “(He’s) not afraid of going up against number one receivers, which can’t be said really about every corner we’ve had around here in the past. I’m not talking about Al (Harris) or Wood (Charles Woodson), but there’s no fear in Ja.”“I think one of the beautiful things about him as a competitor is, he doesn’t have that crippling fear of failure,” Rodgers continued. “He just believes that going out and competing and putting his best ball on the field is true success. I think that is a trait of every great competitor.”"

In less than three seasons, Jaire Alexander has become a star and developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. In Years 1 and 2, we had seen those flashes, but this season, we see it week in and week out and consistently from snap to snap. That’s how you go from being really good to a lockdown cornerback.

"“There’s so much to like about Ja. I love being around him,” Matt LaFleur said via Packers Wire. “I’ve told him a million times. He has such an infectious energy, for everybody. I love how he competes on a daily basis. I think he’s a premier corner in this league.”"