After years of speculated interest, could Jaire Alexander be a Baltimore Raven come 2025?
The Ravens’ secondary was a massive problem to start the 2024 season. It was unequivocally the worst unit on the team despite preseason predictions surrounding the talented names on the rosters. While a midseason change helped improve the unit, it still wouldn’t be listed as a strength. With names like Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton and first-round pick Nate Wiggins going into his sophomore season, that can’t be the case again in 2025. With Humphrey continuing his full-time role in the slot and Brandon Stephens likely leaving in free agency, a starting cornerback on the outside is necessary.
The Ravens have been linked multiple times to one standout corner who could be on the way out of his current team: Jaire Alexander.
Alexander was arguably the top corner in the league for two years (2021-22). Since then, he’s missed time due to a shoulder injury in 2023 and a knee injury in 2024. Now, with a $25 million cap hit coming up, it sounds like his time in Green Bay is done.
With a release, Alexander becomes a free agent, likely to sign a one-year prove-it deal for reasonable value. The Ravens would have as good of a shot as any to sign him as a contender with a starter’s role available. There’s also the tidbit about Alexander and Lamar Jackson being college teammates.
.@JaireAlexander was on camera when his @UofLFootball teammate @Lj_era8 got drafted.
Even better: Lamar’s reaction to Jaire’s reaction. (via @thecheckdown)
: 2022 #NFLDraft — April 28-30 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/GFQf97WgVT
— NFL (@NFL) April 4, 2022
It’s not as though Alexander is a bad corner anymore. He tied Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II’s coverage DVOA (-45.1%) in 2024. Despite playing in only seven games this year, Alexander was second on the Packers in both passes defensed and interceptions. He would certainly be a talent improvement over Stephens, but there would be an obvious worry about his health and ability to stay on the field. Depth in the cornerback room would be required.
A secondary with Hamilton, Humphrey, Wiggins, Ar’Darius Washington and a healthy Alexander would help continue the ascent Defensive Coordinator for Zach Orr’s defense. New coaches, another year of experience, cutting loose the dead weight from last year and more added talent. One way or another, the Ravens need another starting piece in the secondary. Either a safety so Hamilton can play the slot and push Humphrey outside, or another outside corner like Alexander.