Should the Ravens pursue Jaire Alexander after release from Packers?

A two-time Pro Bowl corner has hit the market

Yesterday, the Green Bay Packers made big news by releasing veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander.

This comes after the two sides failed to agree on a restructured deal to remain with the Packers. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback now hits the market looking for a new team. The Baltimore Ravens, perhaps more than any other team, place tremendous value on the secondary and know just how quickly depth at the cornerback position can erode.

Does the 28-year-old Alexander make sense as a fit for Baltimore, considering his recent injury history and potential price?

Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Chidobe Awuzie are penciled as the top three cornerbacks for the Ravens as of right now, with sophomore T.J. Tampa, rookies Robert Longerbeam and Bilhal Kone, and Jayln Armour-Davis behind them. Armour-Davis has reportedly taken reps at safety this offseason, however, potentially signaling a position change for the fourth-year corner. The Ravens are relying on a heap of unknown players behind their Top 3 cornerbacks at the moment.

Alexander was once in consideration for the best cornerback in the NFL, but his recent seasons have been marred by injury. He’s missed significant time in the past two years, with a knee injury cutting his 2024 campaign short. In the games he did play, Alexander earned a 78.3 coverage grade from PFF, good for 18th among cornerbacks.

It is unclear how much Alexander will command on the open market now given his injury history, but good cornerbacks are hard to find — especially at this time of the offseason. According to overthecap.com, the Ravens currently have $18.9 million in cap space. A Lamar Jackson contract extension, which general manager Eric DeCosta alluded to being in the introductory stage, would open up more money for a potential Alexander signing.

If Baltimore can find a number that makes sense for the accomplished cornerback, then signing him would be a massive boon to their already strong secondary. In a conference with quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, and Justin Herbert, and with veteran Aaron Rodgers recently joining the AFC North, fielding multiple good cornerbacks would go a long way.

It is worth noting that Alexander was teammates with Jackson at Louisville and was elated when the Heisman-winner was drafted in the first round.