Packers: NFL Spin Zone likes Jaire Alexander for Rookie of the Year
Jaire Alexander was named the Green Bay Packers’ top Rookie of the Year candidate in a recent NFL Spin Zone article.
There’s a reason why the Green Bay Packers traded back up in the first round to select cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Alexander was one of the best corners in the class, and the Packers desperately needed to find a difference-maker at the position. That’s exactly what Alexander can become in Mike Pettine’s defense.
Dan Parzych of NFL Spin Zone wrote about the top Rookie of the Year candidates for each team in the NFL. Alexander was his choice for the Packers:
"“In fact, defense may be the key difference maker for the Packers in 2018, and all eyes will be on rookie Jaire Alexander to see what kind of impact the Louisville product makes early on. Give Green Bay credit for focusing on defense early on in the draft, and Alexander’s athleticism could end up playing a key difference maker during his rookie campaign.”"
Be sure to check out the full article, and all of the great work the entire NFL Spin Zone team does.
Head coach Mike McCarthy will be hoping Alexander can have a rookie season similar to the one Marshon Lattimore had with the New Orleans Saints last year.
Lattimore was one of the key reasons why the Saints’ defense improved last year. He was selected for the Pro Bowl, and was also named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
It was the perfect debut season for the cornerback selected 11th overall by the Saints last year. Alexander was picked at 18th overall in this year’s draft.
Even if Alexander doesn’t have a rookie season on the level of Lattimore’s, he can still help improve Green Bay’s pass defense right away, working alongside second-round pick Josh Jackson and free agent signing Tramon Williams.
Cornerbacks tend to take time to adjust to the NFL, but Lattimore proved that it’s possible to play at a high level right away.
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Can Alexander do the same?
Who do you believe is the Packers’ top Rookie of the Year candidate?