Cory's Corner: Signing Jaire Alexander Is A Must

The Packers' secondary was one of the best because Alexander roamed the defensive backfield. 

First Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill reset the wide receiver market. 

Then Denzel Ward reset the cornerback market after the Browns gave him a five-year $100.5 million deal — with $71.2 million guaranteed.

So what does this have to do with the Packers? Jaire Alexander is in his fifth-year option with a cap hit of $13.2 million this year. He’s arguably one of the top three corners in the game and Green Bay has to figure out what to do next. 

Which leaves the NFL Draft, which is in two short days. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst must decide if he can re-sign Alexander or if he needs to grab a corner with one of Green Bay’s two first round picks. 

That would make two years in a row that the Packers drafted a corner in the first round after they took Eric Stokes 29th last year. In a passing game, you cannot survive very long if you cannot defend the pass. 

Last year, the Packers were ranked 10th in the NFL in passing defense by giving up 219 yards a game. They were tied for sixth with 18 picks and were 10th in opposing passer rating at 86.9.

There is no way that the Packers put up those numbers without Alexander. What seemed like a natural slam dunk for the Green Bay front office to bring back one of the most important people on defense next to Kenny Clark, now it becomes a lot more complicated. 

The Packers have signed Rasul Douglas to a three-year deal, but after him, the depth gets pretty thin. 

The problem is money. With Elgton Jenkins also a free agent in 2023 and Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage free agents the following year, Gutekunst has to be worried about losing one of the best corners the franchise has had since Charles Woodson. 

Even if Gutekunst is confident about signing Alexander, if Michigan’s Daxton Hill is there for the Packers at No. 28, he should probably take him. Hill is a versatile monster that can play anywhere and will make the defense even more athletic than it already is. 

The name of the game is playmakers. It’s all about getting as many playmakers as you possibly can — on offense and defense.

The question is going to be on how confident Gutekunst is about bringing Alexander back. Alexander turned 25 in February so his next contract will likely be his best payday.

The Packers offered Davante Adams more than the Raiders, but he turned it down. Green Bay can make it work to keep Alexander in the defensive backfield and make the Packers’ secondary one of the best in the league. 

It would make sense because Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson has proven that he is already a very good receiver and he just finished up his second season by being selected to the Pro Bowl again. 

If the Packers are truly all-in, they bring back one of the best shutdown corners in the game. It’s not even a question. Without Alexander, a lot more pressure will be placed on the front seven and I’m not sure that unit can provide consistent pressure. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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3 points
 

Comments (96)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Spock's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:19 am

"There is no way that the Packers put up those numbers without Alexander. " Um, Alexander was out most of last year after the shoulder injury. As Nags would say, "I'm not sure I agree with your police work there." (Nod to the 'Fargo' movie). Of course the Packers should resign their best playmakers. How they do it we will see.

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HawkPacker's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:54 am

You beat me to it Spock. I was going to comment on last year's numbers as well.

Cory, nice article but this is the second week in a row that I see you make a comment that is simply not true.

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Bitternotsour's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:07 pm

If they can't get the deal done with Jaire, they should trade him for a couple of number 1's.

That's the shock move tomorrow. Jaire to NY Jets. We get Kayvon Thibodeaux.

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Johnblood27's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:47 am

You beat me to the first point of contention Spock, about Jaire playing very little last year and the ranking of the defense basically without JA for most of the season.

so I will advance to point 2 for contention...

"The name of the game is playmakers. It’s all about getting as many playmakers as you possibly can — on offense and defense."

Having great players is a luxury. football is a team game and even the best player in a poor scheme or surrounded by mediocre at best talent will not shine and the team will not achieve. Eleven pretty good players will out perform 2 great players and 9 slugs.

Playmakers are a luxury in that they need to have at least competent players around them and also play within a scheme that does its job and places the players on the roster in the best positions to succeed.

These points of contention undermine your theme, namely that it is absolutely imperative for GB to re-sign JA at any cost necessary. That is not the case. Would fans like JA back - yes, would the team like JA back - yes, will the whole football team or even just the secondary collapse without him - absolutely NOT.

This type of mindset is a fantasy sports - instant gratification illusion and it permeates society today. Sometimes the past is the key to the future and the 'new" way of thinking is flawed. This is one of those cases when it comes to football teams.

I am all for re-signing JA, I love to watch him play, he is a very talented player. But... it has to be at a reasonable contract that allows the TEAM to build around him across the roster.

C'mon Corey...

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HawkPacker's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:58 am

Yes, I agree that the team and fans do want to us to resign JA but if they can't hopefully they can trade him for another player and or picks. Not what we want to do but may be forced to if you look at our future CAP and more players that we want to sign in the near future.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:41 am

They are probably looking at Trade scenarios as well as Extension parameters. There are solid CBs in the top of this draft who could fill the swap. You don't want to be held captive by too many players.

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porupack's picture

April 26, 2022 at 08:11 am

Well, yes and no. I agree with Cory, you have to have some playmakers. Actually, I'll say there are two imperatives to a good unit: at least 3 playmakers that can consistently impact a game and must be game-planned by opposing coordinators, and they still impact the game...and at least one in each level of the D. Secondly, not more than one player being sub-average (no gapping holes which opposing coorinators can exploit and compensate).

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:40 am

Well stated Johnny!

With every personnel move the Packers are contemplating the image of Rodgers looms large overhead. His disappropriate contract affects everything. Certainly the resigning of JA is important but it would be nice to first see how that shoulder holds up with extended contact. The Packers are going to need to make a decision on Bachtiari with his knee and large salary with a much Jenkins contract coming up. It is for this reason I'm confident the Packers will be drafting a future starting OT high in the draft this year. They cannot keep paying these large salaries even with pushing money down the road.

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LambeauPlain's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:37 am

I totally agree with your 4th and 5th paragraphs as regards "team football".

It is also why Gutey needs to take account of a player's surrounding cast to gauge their "fit" for the Packers. Georgia is an example. Unlike NFL teams that have to draft for talent or pay a kings ransom to top FAs...Georgia, like Alabama, just has to sell the top recruits and has become a magnet for elite players...especially for D the last few years.

Doesn't mean those top rated Georgia players are not good football players, but how much was their play greatly elevated by the talent around them.

This is probably one of the top reasons the draft is such a crap shoot.

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Leatherhead's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:31 pm

I don't agree with the "name of the game is playmakers". It's an ESPN hilight view of football. Down in the dirt, it's about teamwork and execution, and that means blocking and tackling, and an awful lot of that comes down to attitude.

I like JA, he's done a fine job for us. I wish he hadn't knocked himself out of the season by trying to blow up a bigger, stronger RB when he could have just wrapped and waited for help. He just got overamped and tried to knock snot.

The Packers are firmly in the driver's seat regarding this. He'll play here this season. If he stays healthy and plays well, we'll either sign him for the next couple of years, or we'll trade him for a bonanza of picks, just like we did with Adams.

You have to like our starting 5 DBs. It's a real good group. Beyond that, we're going to need Shemar and Ento to make a step up, because at the first injury, they'll be starting. We lost two of our gameday DBs from last year, Sullivan and King. We need to replace them with something besides air.

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pantz_bURp's picture

April 26, 2022 at 07:02 am

JA is a talent, no doubt...not sure if his injury is going to linger or be a concern moving forward. This team has much talent planning on coming back from injuries. The hard part is trying to separate the overall production prior to injury and the guestimated production moving forward.

I say try to sign him (takes both to want to make it happen) or attempt to trade him at some point to get draft capital.

I hope we keep him and Cobb = the All NFL Dreamy Eyes Team! GPG!!!

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stockholder's picture

April 26, 2022 at 07:46 am

Pig headed. Thats exactly what I'm seeing in Green Bay. The money can only go so far. Sooner or later; we're going to have to give up on pigs, for the good of the packers. Franchise him! If he wants out. Time to let him play elsewhere.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:43 am

If it comes to that I agree SH! Why a top OT, and another good CB is needed. Particularly, a good OT in event Bachtiari is replaced to free up money for JA.

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stockholder's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:43 am

you can always get a OT. A good CB can be replaced. A great one can't! Yes I'm referring to Woodson. The difference is so obvious.

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Oppy's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:11 pm

Jaire Alexander has exhibited all the traits that point towards an all-pro type career. He's arguably a shutdown corner. He gets himself in great position to disrupt the ball, but needs to capitalize on the opportunities more to secure the INT- if he can do that, he has the potential to end up in Canton when it's all said and done. Even at this early stage and with the missed opportunities for finishing out his break ups with interceptions, I'd say his talent level is not easily replaced.

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PatrickGB's picture

April 26, 2022 at 02:19 pm

Great defenses have three good CB’s. And it’s not unusual for CB’s to get hurt or just dinged up for a few games. Super Bowl bound teams have great defenses. With Rodgers we have got by with ok defenses. Perhaps it’s time for a great defense? Alexander might be a key to a better defense this year. Z is gone so there might be more pressure on the DB’s to get it done.

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Oppy's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Lastly.. if you discarded every really good player after their rookie contract who hasn't proven to be a HOF'er within the first 4 years of their NFL career.. You'd find yourself with an awful roster.

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:38 pm

Proven, young players are gold.

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Coldworld's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:19 pm

Ironic that you reference Woodson given the path that brought him to us. Perhaps the worst comparative I could imagine for your your point.

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:30 pm

I had a chance to knock back cocktails and play pool with a Woodson a few years ago. It was a 4-5 hour window of time on a snowy Spring day that I’ll never forget. Damn that was fun. We talked about all kinds of stuff, including Ted failing to sign Marshall Lynch. Charles Woodson is a rockstar. True gentleman, and one hell of a pool shark. Great shot.

Charles does not pay any attention to the NFL Draft, btw. I found that to be funny when I asked him.

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pantz_bURp's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:11 pm

Very cool story GG! Thanks for sharing...!

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Oppy's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:17 pm

There's still been nothing out of Jaire's mouth or his agents mouth stating that they want crazy money to stay in green bay.

You are putting the cart way in front of the horse with all this pig headed business.

Of course, they'll go to the bargaining table with a high dollar amount because that's what you do when you negotiate a contract. Of course, he'll probably want to be paid like a top CB in the league, because.. he's performed like a top cornerback in the league, and he's not reached his apex yet.

It's not wrong or selfish for players to want to get best market value for their services.

It's strange I've never heard you blast Aaron Rodgers for being pig headed with his contract.

5 points
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HarryHodag's picture

April 26, 2022 at 07:49 am

At what point do the Packers simply run out of money? We would love to have JA for an affordable price. But they already have some of the highest paid players in the league so when does the pot of gold go empty?

The bad thing about JA's injury was it showed the Packers defense was more than ok without him.

This might be another 'franchise and trade him'.

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Coldworld's picture

April 26, 2022 at 07:56 am

There’s a point, but a younger player like Jaire is easier to push out cap wise since dead money and reworking do can rewrite future commitments after the Rodgers pinch is over. It’s much less wise with players that won’t be around during scheduled void years.

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:11 am

Agreed: there are several guys who are likely to be coming off the books before any of this next generation of contracts really hit the big numbers--Bakhtiari, ARod, AJones, Lowry, maybe even Amos. Add to that an ability to rework and push hits further out to make room for other players you want to keep as you go along--it's a cycle in terms of contracts paid and contracts expiring...if you're smart. Not terribly concerned on this front.

Agents are wise to the fact that there's big cap money on the horizon, and they're trying to tap into it for guaranteed cash, but keep in mind that in a lot of these deals, the big cash values are 1) not guaranteed, and 2) not manifesting themselves until 2024 or so, and 3) also nestled into big roster and option bonuses that aren't guaranteed or can be massaged out over the deal.

I'm guessing part of the issue with JA's extension talks is guaranteed money, which the Packers don't like to give aside from signing bonuses.

3 points
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Guam's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:10 am

I have to admit that I am getting tired of every star player believing they should be the highest paid player at their position. I fully understand this is a profession and they are playing for their own financial security as well as for the Packers, but I would think job satisfaction should be considered as well. Would you prefer to play for the Jaguars and lose a dozen games every year and never sniff a championship or play for a consistent contender that wins lots of games?

I also understand Green Bay may not be a wonderful place for young, single guys to live, perhaps particularly for young, single black guys. However if you are a family man or an outdoorsman, Green Bay may be one the better places in the NFL to live. And you don't have to contend with a hostile media in Green Bay.

I am probably way off track here, but with a salary cap that creates a zero sum game among players, I would love to see some guy be willing to take just a little bit less than "best paid player for his position" to play for the Packers. And pigs will fly someday too..........

3 points
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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:34 pm

The covid contracted cap of 2021 screwed a lot of things up.

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Coldworld's picture

April 26, 2022 at 07:53 am

Not only was JA injured most of the time, as has been pointed out, but the D wasn’t good when he was healthy. So pretty much everything good happened without him last year.

That’s a pretty encouraging sign if there was an issue with extending him. At this point though, I am not convinced that there is.

The Packers need to nurse their cap through the draft and any trade opportunities that might arise around that. JA will be watching other deals and probably noting the start of inflation as a result if the expected boost to the cap from TV deals. Alexander is here this year as thing stand, there’s no urgency yet.

I think we all would like him extended, but these deals commonly come in the late summer, so let things play out without fretting unless one side or the other creates a valid reason to doubt.

7 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:48 am

Hope no contract done until JA has many hits on that shoulder. King has had shoulder problems and brace for years. Let's first see how JA physically holds up. He has a very small physical stature to begin with, so making sure his shoulder can withstand the physical rigors in the NFL is paramount prior to resigning.

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LambeauPlain's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:58 am

Yes, agree.

If needed, the Packers can always keep Alexander on the 5th year option too...which would give them more information for Rodgers' plans after this season and the cap implications for long term new deals for other top players too...Jenks, Gary, etc.

As regards the draft, I am in favor of drafting one of the top Safeties who offer versatility at S, Star/slot, dime, even boundary if needed: Hill, Pitre, Cine, Brisker. Not only will they contribute immediately, they strengthen a secondary in the case JA is not signed. (Savage and Amos too)

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:15 am

Remember Gutekunst’s out of charter statement a month or so ago on how Jaire would be playing everywhere on D for the Packers? That seemed like a tell… he’s on the trading block. I’d bet on it.

Agree there’s no urgency, but…

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Coldworld's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:23 pm

Don’t see that as necessarily indicative of that conclusion at all

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Packer_Fan's picture

April 26, 2022 at 08:08 am

Yes, a must. Kick the can down the road. And avoid another Adams situation if Alexander gets frustrated.

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porupack's picture

April 26, 2022 at 08:19 am

Look at how many years of wasting SB opportunities because of bad CB play since GB decided Hayward was expendable. Look at all the wasted draft capital trying to replace Hayward who was good, and was a known quantity. Instead GB rolled the dice on a lot of high draft picks to gamble on the unproven quantity. The first law of Football Thermodynamis is that the D has to have 3-4 playmakers dispersed at least 2 defending pass and 2 on the line. The second law of Football Thermodynamis is that the D cannot have any big holes for the opposing coordinators to exploit, which I define as no more than 1 sub-average player. A D can compensate for 1 sub-average player, but not more.

I have confidence that Gute is trying to extend him. We saw his efforts in trying to retain DAdams and strike other pricey deals.

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:14 am

You must have majored in Football Physics... ;)

1 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:10 am

Yes, it would be nice to see JA resigned. However, if Gutey selects a stud interior pass rusher possibly like Devontae Wyatt, along with a stud Edge rusher like Bonitto, or Ojabo to go along with Clark, Preston, and Gary the Packers would be better off. The signing of these two rookies along with a mid-round CB much cheaper than resigning JA.

Dont get me wrong JA is a good player, but dominant play from the front 7 defensively is all important. While JA is a very good player we still see time after time JA getting beat. WR's are too good and if given time will get open even against JA. Many WR's are bigger than JA and can physically man handle him at LOS, or for contested catches. Regardless of JA the Packers need to get a couple of dominant big men on defense in the draft. They are so close to being dominant. If the Pack need to pull a Franchise Tag on him and trade him so be it and get something in return I'm fine with it.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:46 am

The new breed of WRs coming out like Wilson, Olave, Austin, Watson etc with burst and speed match up better with guys like Jaire, it works both ways.

0 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:10 am

Alexander the Great doesn't get beat time after time. His last full season in 2020, he had 13 pass deflections, 51% completion and and a QB rating of 67 when targeted. That is more than good...that is sublime.

He is an elite corner and one of, if not the best in the NFL.

5 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 04:14 pm

I'm confident all of us here on CCTV would like to see JA resigned, as well as future contracts executed for the likes of Jenkins, Gary, Savage, Tonyan, Amos, Lazard, etc. Can they actually resign them all? Can they keep Bachtiari?

If they can't than they not only need to prioritize who to keep, but decide do they keep repeating the same thing over and over and coming up with the same results, or do they try something different? The Packers defense did well last year without JA. This upcoming draft is going to provide a lot of information on what their future plans. A strong front 7 with pass rush ability! Let's do it Gutey! Build the defense and add those last few critical pieces.

0 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

April 26, 2022 at 08:23 am

I ain't a Kick the Can kinda guy...lean more towards Flashlight Tag. Hey, Flashlight Tag sounds similar to Franchise Tag... brilliant! :D

2 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:41 am

Ah, I'm enjoying your daily humor injections PB!

2 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:38 pm

P-E-O, thanks...originally when I found this site, I thought I could hang with you all regarding Packer players. It turns out, I don't know shit! You guys are professional GBP fans and I love it! I soon realized (selfishly) I might add, how therapeutic it is to sometimes just be silly or add some levity from time to time. You guys certainly don't need me chiming in but I sure as heck get a kick out of it. I love the Cast of Characters this forum has. Go PEO Go!

3 points
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Since'61's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:10 am

There is time to get a deal done with Alexander. It can even be done during the season. It might be wise to see if Jaire is fully recovered from his shoulder injury.

As a last resort the franchise tag is always an option. Thanks, Since '61

6 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:19 am

I believe we all get too fixated & emotionally caught up on players and their value to the GBP's, particularly when you get players who start claiming they should be the highest paid player at their positions. The Packers defense is close to becoming a truly dominant shut down defense with just another 3 or 4 quality additions. Having JA being part of that equation makes it a whole lot easier but not at the expense of paying him what it likely will cost to resign him. Draft a CB this weekend and Franchise JA. The Packers defense seemed to do okay without him. Let's get more pass rush on the opposing QB.

2 points
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davekenya's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:45 am

Some related FYIs...The deadline for NFL teams to decide on the 5th year option salaries for 2022 for all 2018 1st round selections is May 3rd. GB will likely use that option.

While each team receives one franchise tag per year which can be applied as either exclusive or non-exclusive, GB may not be able to re-use theirs after having used it with Adams. However, Adams' tag may have been in the 2021 NFL year and we'd use JA in the 2022 NFL year, so it might be okay -- I just don't know how re-using the Franchise tag twice within 12 months works...

2 points
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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:33 pm

The franchise tag doesn't kick in until the start of the next (upcoming) league year. DA was on a franchise tag for the 2022 league year. JA would be for the 2023 league year, if it were needed.

6 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 28, 2022 at 05:32 am

But there is Jenkins out there. Franchise tag for Jaire or for Jenkins? The obvious route is to sign one of them. Since Jenkins is injured, I'd sign Jaire pronto.

0 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

April 27, 2022 at 12:43 am

This year would be for the 2019 draft. They picked up Jaire's option last year.

2 points
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calabasa's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:19 am

Reading between the lines of this article, all I see is QB1’s deal screwing up the balance sheet. So now we can’t afford to extend our homegrown top-tier talent at CB? Who is next? Can we win with 12 and nobody else out there?

Sh*t rolls downhill, folks.

5 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:25 am

Yes, this was the discussion for months prior to Rodgers resigning. It is time to pay the Piper and JA is just one possible side effect. The Packers could have fleeced Denver for all those players and draft choices in exchange for AR with money left to resign star players like JA, Jenkins, MVS, and more in the future. They could also been much more active in FA....and so it is....

6 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:51 am

If Love or Lock were that guy the deal would have been done. The MVP guy got in their way.

2 points
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MooPack's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:27 am

I'm all in on Dax Hill. Safety that is going to be needed, slot CB that is needed. He has played lots of reps at both and played outside some. With his athleticism he could line up anywhere in the secondary. Kills two birds with one pick.

2 points
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PeteK's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:42 am

CBs like Alexander are very hard to find so he will be signed for a bit above Ward. The signing will probably come during the season to make cap room for a free agent signing or at the end of the season.

1 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:47 am

I'm all-in on Dax Hill as well. I'd also be happy with one of the top corners or Pitre or Cine.

I would like to resign Jaire, but I have a major concern: AC joints are very easy to re-injure. He is going to be a time bomb waiting to go on IR every time he makes a tackle, and if he can't tackle, he is no longer a top 10 CB. :-(

It's worth remembering, additionally, that as a "play-maker" Alexander hasn't been a successful interceptor. With Stokes and Douglas solid starters, the addition of a great-coverage Safety or Linebacker would soften the loss of Jaire a LOT.

4 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:27 am

Exactly my thoughts PEO!

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:53 am

If they move him, they would need a CB at the one pick in return to fill the void.

2 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:04 am

I'm not so sure about that. Stokes and Douglas would be the starters, just like last year, and it's possible that BG thinks Jean-Charles, Nixon, or Ento, etc. will be adequate back-ups, especially if they use a mid-round pick on a developmental CB like Zyon McCollom.
With a good coverage ILB or Safety, they'd still be golden.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:28 pm

Douglas is the nickel guy. McCollum has top speed and three-cone shined. I have not watched his film and the competition he faced. Jaire has breaking speed to the ball that some of the taller guys cannot replicate. As Dobber noted, he is young enough to spread out his CAP hits as some other Stars are jettisoned. The agents work the Marketing Volume when they see an increasing CAP in '23-24. She-mar may make it in the dime competition, but I like the physical guy, Alontae Taylor( 4.36) from Tennessee to be drafted in the third. The other guys didn't even make the squad.

0 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 04:35 pm

I love what Jaire WAS, but if he gets sent to IR again, he's a mistake to resign.

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:42 pm

They'd go from having one of the best CB rooms in the NFL to being good but very thin. CBs get beat up and they miss games. You've got to be at least 3 or 4 players deep, depending on what you've got at S.

4 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

April 26, 2022 at 02:00 pm

I've got the Packers taking Trevor Penning at 22 and Kaiir Elam at 28.

(I have KC taking Travis Jones and Christian Watson at 29 and 30.)

If they sign Jaire to an extension before Thursday, I might expect Gutey to take Travis Jones or Christian Watson at 28, but with Jaire's extension looming, I just felt Kaiir Elam a pick Gutey might make?

1 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 04:33 pm

Elam is a great choice at any time in this draft. He will only be 20 years old during his rookie season, and he already plays a lot like Jaire, but at 6'1"

Side note: My mock drafts using my Big Board have not left me very happy. :-D
I keep ending up with the BPAs being positions I've already chosen...except WR!
My board wants me to take a LB or DB for the first five picks. :-D

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:01 pm

I don’t think that’s the case. We’ll be fine just adding another good, dynamic CB later. They are going to be found well into Day 3… Not going to be JAs, but, good players, and really, who knows?

I could see us snagging Mario Goodrich. R3-4? McCollum there too. Cobie Durant.

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BruceC1960's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:21 am

Jaire to the Raiders for Waller and a high pick? They might overpay for a quality corner in that division?

1 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:42 am

Raiders don't have a high pick. Unless you consider a 3rd rounder a high pick.

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BruceC1960's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:25 pm

That doesn’t sound so hot does it? Wondering about Jaire’s health and sign ability.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 04:27 pm

How about Jaire for Waller and the Raiders #1 in 2023?

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BirdDogUni's picture

April 26, 2022 at 05:35 pm

That would go well with the next year's 1st we'll get for Love, right? ; P

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:33 am

Pete Prisco just mocked S Kyle Hamilton to the Packers at 22. He’s been in a free fall. I’d lose my shit if we could take him there, and can’t imagine Gutekunst passing on him.

As for Jaire, that’s one hell of a bag of cash to drop on a CB with his injury. Really sad to admit, I think the cost may prove too great to provide the value one would expect.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:55 am

They have him for 2022. See how it shakes out in December, no need to panic.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:56 am

I've wondered about Hamilton for quite a while; he's a classic "surprise fall" type of player. He'd be an AWESOME pick as our new DB "STAR" position.

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LambeauPlain's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:35 am

Why on earth is Hamilton dropping? Is the knee injury causing him to miss the last half of 2021 an issue? It was a fat pad injury on the knee and he was ready to play at season's end...but after ND was eliminated from the playoffs, he opted out to prepare for the draft.

I think I am getting lulled into pre-draft "Land of Confusion".

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 11:46 am

I’m right with ya, LP!

22 S Kyle Hamilton
28 WR George Perkins
53 WR Velus Jones
59 DT Perrion Winfree
93 EDGE Cam Thomas
132 EDGE Alex Wright
140 DT Neil Ferrell Jr.
171 OT Braxton Jones
228 OT Cordell Volson
249 OG Jason Poe
258 K Cade York

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YouAskedForThis's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:17 pm

"Why on earth is Hamilton dropping?"

Sounds like some scouts clocked him at 4.7 during his pro day. This is an example where the tape should hold more value than the testing. Guy is a playmaker

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 01:46 pm

His draft position likely isn't changing with GMs.

Besides, he ran a 4.59 timed electronically at the Combine.

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 02:04 pm

Correct. Draft industry playing catch up, again… all kinds of illustrations of this. Safeties typically under valued early in drafts.

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Johnblood27's picture

April 26, 2022 at 05:21 pm

Hamilton and Hill both on the board at 22, who is the pick?

I am a Hill guy.

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:12 pm

Hamilton all day for me.

1 points
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Johnblood27's picture

April 26, 2022 at 09:18 pm

Im sold on Hills versatility and ability to channel Woodson

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BirdDogUni's picture

April 26, 2022 at 10:44 pm

Why not both? Take Hamilton at 22 and Hill at 28... ; )

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 28, 2022 at 05:36 am

Hamilton.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 28, 2022 at 05:50 am

Hamilton, because he's going to be a perennial Pro-Bowl player like Harrison Smith.

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dobber's picture

April 28, 2022 at 08:44 am

As a S/ILB Hamilton also represents a position of need in the Packers system, probably moreso than HIll....that position gets a lot of snaps and he potentially steps into a starting role in 2023. Hill could be that third S, but is more CB than ILB. Either way, that guy would play a lot on day 1 and likely be a starter next year.

Wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers snag TWO safeties in this draft...the second provides ST help, one steps into a starting role in 2023 while the other becomes that third S in their nickel/dime rotation.

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Oppy's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:27 pm

Seeing a lot of posters alluding to Jaire being greedy, or that the Packers are having difficulties in extending Jaire, as though contract negotiations are stalling or stumbling.

Where is everyone getting this idea? Every year or two, there's a guy entering his final year under contract who hasn't been extended, and everyone panics that it's not going to get done, and then midway through the season, it's quietly announced they got the deal done, and the player says it was never a question of if, just had to let the process play out.

I know there was an onslaught of articles about two months ago speculating that 'Jaire wants to be the top paid CB in the league', but they were all garbage journalism without merit- they all traced back to a single source - a tweet - from a sports journalist who never actually stated that Jaire or Jaire's representation said they want to be the highest paid CB in the league. They never said Jaire or Jaire's representation said they are concerned with money. The source said he talked to some people (no indication who, could have been his buddies at the bar) and they believe Jaire could be the next big contract in Green Bay.

Now, will Jaire get paid well? Yeah, you bet your ass he will. Because he's one of the best young CBs in the league and could arguably be considered a shutdown corner. That doesn't mean he's made the money the #1 factor in his next contract. It doesn't mean he's being difficult. It doesn't mean the Packers and Jaire are having problems working it out.

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greengold's picture

April 26, 2022 at 02:30 pm

I certainly am not insinuating anything like that. Just wondering if there’s anything in Jaire’s prognosis that might be of more concern. Shoulders, AC joints, not good.

Giving him close to top $ should give any reasonable fan pause. Especially with top cash out to AR, Bak, KC.

Just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should.

Massive dough should = massive return. The shoulder simply = risk. Nothing personal, and I love the guy.

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Oppy's picture

April 26, 2022 at 03:15 pm

That's a fair assessment. That said, I'm not so worried about a single shoulder because I don't think of Jaire as strictly a press cover corner, in fact, I think he does his best work playing off. I'd be more concerned with a leg injury with a guy like Jaire. Anyways, we'll see how he looks in early through mid season in 2022 before he gets his extension (or doesn't).

I do think the shoulder was a massive impairment for a guy like Kevin King, who was first and foremost a CB that was at his best when he was jamming WRs at the LOS- and he never played press effectively again after his shoulders got damaged (repeatedly), and we saw the results..

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 26, 2022 at 04:23 pm

It's not the jamming I worry about, it's the tackling. It's REALLY easy to re-separate an AC once you've done it, and tackling is EXACTLY how you re-injure one. Boom. You're out for the year again.

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Johnblood27's picture

April 26, 2022 at 05:24 pm

injury didn't stop the GBP from throwing a ton of money at AR before he proved his health coming back from the second collarbone injury.

If I remember correctly that AR extension kinda was the first domino to fall in the GBP cap shit-show - which btw I realize was exacerbated by the covid-cap cluster-f.

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stockholder's picture

April 26, 2022 at 05:30 pm

He said he wanted to be the top paid CB in the league. Thats why the negotiations broke down.

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Oppy's picture

April 26, 2022 at 06:16 pm

No, he didn't.

A few weeks ago I left a response to your comment about that- and I did the work for you and traced back the original tweet from a journalist that every. single. article. that came out saying Jaire wanted to be the highest paid CB in the NFL had listed as their source.

I provided the link. All you had to do was read it. It NEVER stated that the journalist had ever talked to Jaire, or his agent. It NEVER stated Jaire wanted to be the highest paid CB in the league. In fact, it made no claims whatsoever about Jaire's motivations, or that his contract negotiations were broke down.

All it said was that the journalist, after having talked to some sources, decided that Jaire might be the next big contract in GB.

Complete speculation by one man that spiraled out of control across the internet.

Of course, if you have some other information that states otherwise.. Please, share the info. It's entirely possible I missed something. But no one has pointed me towards anything that says otherwise.

4 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 28, 2022 at 05:49 am

I think it would be normal for Jaire to be the highest paid CB in the NFL. He is elite and is the guy about to get the newest contract. He is probably better than Ward and considerably better than Xavien Howard. Ward and Howard did not have their best seasons in 2021, same as Alexander.

1 points
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greengold's picture

April 28, 2022 at 08:22 am

Great points. Jaire’s play is certainly deserving of top coin. 100%. I’m left wondering how high Gutekunst goes to add his CB. If he goes high, it might point to how they feel about Jaire’s return.

R3 seems like a money spot. Two players I REALLY like at CB there are Zyon McCollum and Joshua Williams. Some stuff from my notes:


****
CB Zyon McCollum - Sam Houston St.
6-2 207 4.33 4.03 shuttle

SPEED. BALLHAWK. TACKLES. LENGTH.
Long with speed/range to provide great man coverage and BALLHAWK. Averaged 3 INT/year 4 years in a row.

Needs development in zone coverage/strength/weight.

LEGIT NFL coverage skills. Really smooth fast mover w effortless hip flip. Really low out of gate. Excellent form.

Willing/PUNISHING tackler in run stop.

54 PBU with 13 INTs career.
R3


****
CB Joshua Williams - Fayetteville State
6-2 195 4.46

FLUID HIPS. FEET. HIP POCKET. SMOOTH. Backpedal. SPEED. Stops on a dime. ALWAYS ready, in phase as ball arrives to make a play. Plays quick game/deep routes equally well. Man/zone. AGGRESSIVE..

+BALL SKILLS 5 INT 22PBU 79 TCKLS, 4 TFL, 2 TDs (1 on PR)

REMARKABLE length & closing speed for a natural CB.
R3

Here’s some more CB stuff. Not the greatest notes, but, I really was focused elsewhere this year. At least it’s something:

****
CB Tariq Woolen - UT San Antonio
6-3 205 4.26!!! 42” vertical!!! 33 5/8” arms!!!

Terrific LENGTH. SPEED. BALANCE. RECOVERY SPEED.

Projects well to zone, especially with his WR background, but great length for man/ press coverage as well.

Developmental - only 2 yrs playing CB. The big + = not a lot to unteach. Needs hand work. Willing tackler who lacks the fundamentals.

Best position might be moving to Safety.

63 TACKLES 5.TFL 1.5 SACKS 2 INT 9 PD
R2-3

MAN! If Tariq isn’t right up Gutekunst’s alley!!! Look at the physical tools this kid brings to the game! I could see Jerry Gray dying to coach this kid up.


CB Mario Goodrich - Clemson
6-0 186

Slender, not the fastest, but FLUID, EASY MOVER.

Has the instincts to be a valuable CB in NFL.

Physical. Instincts. Fluid. Top CB in ACC
Allowed ZERO TD 2 INT 7 PD >> QBs didn’t throw his way.
Starter potential.
sleeper ? Day 3 ?


****
CB Marcus Jones - Houston A81/O91
5-8 174
Fav. Dominant outside/slot. 13 PD 5 INT 2021 (10 INT Career)

Quicks/tough

Also plays WR/KR
**** 9 TDs on STs
14 average PR/28.4 KR - both Top 25 in college football history.

Top 75 player

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stockholder's picture

April 28, 2022 at 06:55 am

Oppy it had nothing to do with that journalist. People are back tracking. The need to get it done is over. It will come out again.

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jhtobias's picture

April 26, 2022 at 12:33 pm

Some of these takes are just flat out stupid. The defense was better without Jaire last yr . Ok the defense was better last yr for one reason his name is devondre campbell.

Three down linebackers who can cover tackler for loss , sideline to sideline are what seperates teams. If jaire was healthy last yr top 5 no doubt guys like him come around once a decade.

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PatrickGB's picture

April 26, 2022 at 02:23 pm

Great insight!

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2022 at 07:13 pm

They also played lousy without Alexander and with Campbell from about week 11 on.

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