Jaire Alexander

Jaire Zakar Alexander (born February 9, 1997) is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisville, and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Jaire Alexander
refer to caption
Alexander with the Green Bay Packers in 2019
No. 23 – Green Bay Packers
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1997-02-09) February 9, 1997
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Rocky River
(Mint Hill, North Carolina)
College:Louisville (2015–2017)
NFL Draft:2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:244
Sacks:1.5
Pass deflections:58
Interceptions:10
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Alexander attended Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, North Carolina. While there, he played high school football for the Ravens.[1] He originally committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football but changed his commitment to the University of Louisville.[2]

College career

Alexander played at Louisville from 2015 to 2017 under head coach Bobby Petrino.[3] During his career, he had 77 tackles and seven interceptions. For the 2016 season, he was named Second-team All-ACC. After his junior season in 2017, he decided to forgo his senior year and enter the draft. He decided not to play in the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl with the rest of the Louisville team due to persistent injury issues during the season.[4][5]

College statistics
Season GP Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
SoloAstCmbTfLSckIntYdsAvgTDPDFRFF
2015 10145190.00.0155.00200
2016 13318391.00.05377.40911
2017 6306191.00.0100.00400
Career295819772.00.07426.001511

Professional career

On December 22, 2017, Alexander announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. As a result of his decision, he chose not to play in the TaxSlayer Bowl.[6] He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed all of the combine and positional drills. Among cornerbacks, Alexander finished third in the short shuttle, finished fifth in the three-cone drill, finished sixth in the 40-yard dash, and tied for fourth in the broad jump.[7] On March 29, 2018, Alexander participated at Louisville's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Alexander was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the top cornerback prospect in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock and was ranked the third best cornerback by DraftScout.com.[8][9]

External video
video icon Jaire Alexander's NFL Combine workout
video icon Alexander runs a 4.38s 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 10+1⁄4 in
(1.78 m)		 196 lb
(89 kg)		 31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m)		 9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.38 s1.52 s2.55 s3.98 s6.71 s35 in
(0.89 m)		10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		14 reps
All values are from NFL Combine[10][11]

The Green Bay Packers selected Alexander in the first round (18th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[12] The Packers traded their first (27th overall), third (76th overall), and sixth round picks (186th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for their first (18th overall) and seventh round picks (248th overall) in order to draft Alexander 18th overall.[13][14]

External video
video icon Packer draft Jaire Alexander 18th overall

On May 15, 2018, the Green Bay Packers signed Alexander to a fully guaranteed four-year, $12.05 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $6.84 million.[15][16]

2018
Alexander in 2018

Throughout training camp, Alexander competed to be a starting cornerback against Davon House, Tramon Williams, Kevin King, and Josh Jackson.[17] Head coach Mike McCarthy named Alexander the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind House, King, and Williams.[18]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Green Bay Packers' season-opener against the Chicago Bears and recorded three solo tackles during their 24–23 victory. On September 16, 2018, Alexander recorded eight combined tackles and was credited with half a sack during a 29–29 tie with the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 2. During the fourth quarter, Alexander intercepted a pass by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, but the play was negated due to a roughing the passer call on teammate Clay Matthews III.[19] On September 30, 2018, Alexander made one tackle, broke up a pass, and made his first career interception during a 22–0 win against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Alexander intercepted a pass attempt by Bills' quarterback Josh Allen, that was intended for wide receiver Zay Jones, during the second quarter.[20] Alexander was inactive for two games (Weeks 5–6) due to a groin injury.[21]

2019

In week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, Alexander recorded his first interception of the season off Dak Prescott and returned it for 37 yards in the 34–24 win.[22] In week 15 against the Chicago Bears, Alexander recorded 8 tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Mitch Trubisky during the 21–13 win.[23]

2020

In Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, Alexander sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins in the endzone for a safety and later intercepted a pass thrown by Cousins during the 43–34 victory.[24] During the 2020–21 season, he made his first Pro Bowl as a starter for the NFC.[25] On January 8, 2021, he made the 2020 All-Pro Team second-team.[26] He finished the 2020 season as the NFL's No. 1 cornerback as ranked by Pro Football Focus.[27]

In the Division Playoffs versus the Los Angeles Rams, Alexander became the only cornerback since 2006 to allow negative yards in a playoff game (−3 yards).[28] In the NFC Championship against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alexander intercepted two passes thrown by Tom Brady during the 31–26 loss.[29]

2021

On April 26, 2021, the Packers exercised the fifth-year option on Alexander's contract, worth a guaranteed $13.3 million for the 2022 season.[30][31] Alexander was placed on injured reserve on October 9, 2021, after suffering a shoulder injury in a Week 4 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[32] Packers' medical staff held off on a possible season-ending surgery to repair the sprain, and after 2 months on the IR list, the Packers designated Alexander to return to practice on December 8, 2021.[33] He was activated on December 29. On January 2, 2022, the Packers placed Alexander on the COVID-19/Reserve list.[34] He was activated off the list on January 7, but due to a lack of conditioning it was announced that he would miss the Packers' final regular season game against the Detroit Lions on January 9.[35] He was officially designated as questionable to play for the Packers' Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. He would play, but didn't record a stat in the 10–13 loss.[36]

2022

On May 18, 2022, Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Packers through the 2026 season.[37][38] In December, he was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl.[39]

NFL career statistics

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckSftyPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2018GB 1311666150.501112727.027002
2019GB 1616585080.001723718.537011
2020GB 15155140111.01131−4−4.0−4010
2021GB 4413940.00313030.030000
2022GB 16165643130.001455911.829000
Career6462244203411.51581014914.937023
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckPDIntYdsAvgLngTDsFFFR
2019GB 22121020.01000.00000
2020GB 224310.032168.016000
2021GB 100000.00000.00000
Career54161330.042168.016000
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References
  1. Morgan, Emmanuel (July 25, 2017). "Defensive back finds stardom at Louisville, but Charlotte still tugs at his heart". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  2. Connolly, Matt (July 13, 2017). "All-ACC CB Jaire Alexander details why he is at Louisville and not USC". The State. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. "Petrino 'encouraged' by Jaire Alexander's progress, but no update on his status". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  4. Adelson, Andrea (December 22, 2017). "Louisville CB Jaire Alexander enters draft, won't play in TaxSlayer Bowl". ESPN. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  5. Estes, Gentry (December 22, 2017). "Louisville football's Jaire Alexander declares for 2018 NFL draft, won't play in TaxSlayer Bowl". Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  6. Adelson, Andrea (December 22, 2017). "Louisville CB Jaire Alexander enters draft, won't play in TaxSlayer Bowl". ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  7. "2018 NFL Combine Results". National Football League. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  8. "*Jaire Alexander, DS #3 CB, Louisville". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  9. "Mike Mayock's 2018 NFL Draft top 100 prospect rankings". National Football League. April 24, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  10. "NFL Draft & Combine Profile – Jaire Alexander". National Football League. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  11. "Jaire Alexander – Louisville, CB : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". DraftScout.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  12. "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  13. "Packers draft Jaire Alexander at No. 18 after trading up". National Football League. April 26, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  14. Spofford, Mike (April 26, 2018). "Packers trade up, select Louisville CB Jaire Alexander". Packers.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  15. "Spotrac.com: Jaire Alexander contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  16. "Packers sign 2018 first-round pick Jaire Alexander". National Football League. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  17. Finup, Cole (May 5, 2018). "A Look at the Green Bay Packers Cornerback Competition". lastwordonprofootball.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  18. "Packers 2018 Depth Chart is Out". TotalPackers.com. September 5, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  19. "Jaire Alexander INT gets called back for Matthews roughing passer penalty". National Football League. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  20. "WATCH: Jaire Alexander picks off fellow 1st-round pick Josh Allen". USA Today. September 30, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  21. "Packers WR Geronimo Allison, CB Jaire Alexander exit with injuries". USA Today. September 30, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  22. "Rodgers, Packers rule at home of Cowboys again in 34–24 win". ESPN. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  23. "Jones scores twice, Packers complete season sweep of Bears". ESPN. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  24. "Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – September 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  25. Around the NFL Staff. "NFL reveals complete AFC, NFC rosters for 2021 Pro Bowl". National Football League. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  26. "2020 NFL All-Pro Team Roster". Associated Press News. January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  27. PFF [@PFF] (January 8, 2021). "Jaire Alexander: PFF's highest-graded CB of 2020 (90.5) #AllProSnub t.co/sRDfFOlsUh" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. PFF [@PFF] (January 19, 2021). "Jaire Alexander: the only CB since 2006 to allow NEGATIVE yards in a playoff game – 3 yards allowed vs. Rams 🤯 🔒 t.co/Lzl0QlaRrv" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  29. "NFC Championship – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – January 24th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  30. Williams, Charean (April 26, 2021). "Packers expect to exercise fifth-year option on Jaire Alexander". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  31. "Jaire Alexander's 5th-Year Contract Option Expected to be Picked up by Packers". Bleacher Report.
  32. "Packers place CB Jaire Alexander on injured reserve". Packers.com. October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  33. "Packers' Jaire Alexander: Should return to practice". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  34. "Packers place CB Jaire Alexander on reserve/COVID-19 list". packers.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  35. Huber, Bill. "Alexander Clears COVID Protocol But Out vs. Lions". Sports Illustrated Green Bay Packers News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  36. "Packers list CB Jaire Alexander, T David Bakhtiari as questionable I Packers-49ers injury report". packers.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  37. Siegle, Evan (May 18, 2022). "Packers sign CB Jaire Alexander to contract extension". packers.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022.
  38. "Jaire Alexander contract extension with Green Bay Packers includes salary cap-friendly 2022".
  39. "Packers CB Jaire Alexander named to the Pro Bowl". packers.com. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
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