Packers: Five players to watch vs. Bears in Week 1

3. Jaire Alexander, CB

As mentioned earlier, the Bears’ offense has a few new toys to play with. Taylor Gabriel and Allen Robinson will probably be on full display in Week 1. I expect Tramon Williams and Kevin King to get the assignment of matching up against Robinson and Gabriel.

First-round pick Jaire Alexander will probably be matched up against Tarik Cohen. Matt Bowen of ESPN wrote about how Matt Nagy can use Cohen in the same manner the Chiefs used Tyreek Hill. That means using Cohen more in the slot in the passing game and on jet sweeps and bubble screens.

All indications are Alexander will be the starting nickelback and his first assignment will be a tough one. Cohen is fast and shifty and will give Alexander all he can handle. Alexander will have to be just as strong in run support as in coverage. The Bears will try to attack the Packers’ defense any way they can. A rookie starting in the slot might be the best way.

When not matched against Cohen, Alexander can probably expect to see Gabriel lined up on the other side. Robinson and rookie Anthony Miller or Kevin White will most likely be the receivers outside. The smaller, speedy Gabriel seems more likely to open in the slot when it’s not Cohen.

Regardless of who it is, Alexander is likely to see someone with as much speed as himself lined up against him most of the night.