Packers Draft Alexander, CB

Dallas, T.X. ~ The Green Bay Packers started the night with the 14th pick in the NFL Draft, but quickly traded for the 27th pick. Soon after, the Packers traded up to the 18th pick with the Seattle Seahawks. Green Bay now has the 248th pick ( seventh round ).

With the 18th pick, the Pack took 5”10 cornerback Jaire Alexander from Louisville.

This is the second year in a row that    the Packers have selected a cornerback, their top need, in the first round. Last year they drafted Kevin King, who is now their best corner.

Draft experts loved Green Bay’s pick, saying that they got what they needed, and some. Experts also stated that Alexander plays with  smooth, calm swagger that allows him to compete with receivers larger than he.

The Packers defense, which ranked 27th in the NFL, has a very new look, as Mike Pettine will patrol the D. New General Manager Brian Gutenkest also traded away Damarious Randall to the Cleveland Browns.

While Alexander is only 5”10 he makes up for his petite size with blazing speed. Alexander ran the seventh fastest 40-yard dash out of cornerbacks, at 4.38 seconds.

Another one of Alexander’s upsides is his ability to feel the ball in the air. The cornerback can play forward and backward, depending on the ball. Alexander can also change direction very quickly making him it easy to stick with an opponent receiver.

Green Bay looked like they had a chance on drafting top-tier prospects LB Tremaine Edmunds from Virginia Tech and DB Derwin James from Florida State. They invited both to pre-draft workouts in Green Bay.

The Buffalo Bills traded up to draft Edmunds with the 16th pick. One pick later, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected James.

The Packers went who with they wanted, and drafted Alexander. Hopefully the cornerback pays off for the Packers.

By Jacob Szczap