2018 Packers First Round Pick Jaire Alexander

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Gutenkust

Packer Report @PackerReport
Call to Seattle was one of Gutekunst's first calls after trading back to 27.

Packer Report @PackerReport
Gutekunst said the Packers did talk to Alexander on several occasions. Figures they all blurred together for Alexander, who said he hadn't talked to GB.

Packer Report @PackerReport
Getting first-round pick in 2019 was in best interests of team; was confident they could move back up.

Packer Report @PackerReport
Packers have one pick on Friday and 10 on Saturday; he assumes there will be more moving around the board.

Packer Report @PackerReport
Offer from Saints for first-round pick was too good to pass up, even with James and Edmunds (who had visited) on the board.

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Alexander, getting setup for interviews after being drafted, learns teammate Lamar Jackson was drafted.

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/sta...23805139390465

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Matt Bowen @MattBowen41
Matt Bowen Retweeted Steve Ross
Alexander can improve his technique. And that comes with reps. But I really like his coverage ability. Press-man. 4.3 speed. Competes, too. Good fit for Pettine’s defense in Green Bay.

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Charles Woodson @CharlesWoodson
Congrats @JaireAlexander you’ll love working with coach Whitt #begreat

[Deputy Nutz]

I don't totally disagree. Derwin James looks the part. If you could draw up a prototypical safety I think James would have been it. He did last longer than I thought he would so I am not sure if that stupid 3 cone and shuttle scared other teams away.

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I don't totally disagree. Derwin James looks the part. If you could draw up a prototypical safety I think James would have been it. He did last longer than I thought he would so I am not sure if that stupid 3 cone and shuttle scared other teams away.

the other goofy thing is, he didn't run them at the Combine. Was her perhaps hurt? Bad ankle during workouts or something and they were waiting for it to heal?

Or did he know his numbers in those were bad and was working on making them better.

[Deputy Nutz]

Good question. I don't think the film lies though. He gets to where he needs to be. James just kind of glides to where he is supposed to be with very little effort. He has really good vision and anticipation.

[mraynrand]

.....

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Outstanding size-speed ratio and athletic ability. Fluid movement skills -- makes it look easy flipping his hips and reacting to the thrown ball. Very good transitional quickness and recovery speed. Superb feet and agility to pop out of his breaks and close on the ball -- explosively quick. Natural interceptor with very good hand-eye coordination, leaping ability and overall ball skills. Very good vision and traffic burst as a returner

WEAKNESSES Is a bit soft-tempered -- not as aggressive or physical in run support as you would expect for his size. Can do a better job shedding blockers. Too often lets teammates arrive first at the scene. Spent time in the doghouse as a young player. Has some growing up to do -- maintains a lockdown corner's ego, at times coasts on his natural talent and is not immune to mental errors.

[run pMc]

I think they are hoping he's Sam Shields II.

I'm ok with the pick, but yeah, with some of the others on the board (Edmunds, James, Davenport) there's room for second guessing and I'm sure people will be doing the "Watt vs. King" thing again with these picks.

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I think they are hoping he's Sam Shields II.

I'm ok with the pick, but yeah, with some of the others on the board (Edmunds, James, Davenport) there's room for second guessing and I'm sure people will be doing the "Watt vs. King" thing again with these picks.

Yep.

[red]

I didn’t think there was any chance we were gonna draft a safety in the 1st. We only let Burnett walk because the staff like what the have in Jones. If they had doubts about jones, I think they would have kept burnett and not risk a safety not being there in the draft

[mraynrand]

I didn’t think there was any chance we were gonna draft a safety in the 1st. We only let Burnett walk because the staff like what the have in Jones. If they had doubts about jones, I think they would have kept burnett and not risk a safety not being there in the draft

Jones and the depth - no doubt about it.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Re: James, as a wise man said in some other thread, despite his potentials, James remains a coin flip to make it in the big league. Just ask Mike Huff. Why waste a high pick on a coin flip when a proven saftey is hard-knocking on the streets of Baltimore?

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Sure, now I find it:

STRENGTHS
Possesses a compact, athletic frame with good overall muscle distribution. Alexander's best attribute is his light feet and fluid hip turn, which helps shadow receivers all over the field. He varies his drop, alternating between a standard back-pedal and side-step when playing tight, complementing his flashy footwork with a surprisingly powerful punch to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. He shows very good route anticipation, cutting as receivers make their breaks and leaving little room for quarterbacks to throw the ball. Alexander shows good instincts and isn't afraid to take chances in coverage, reading the eyes of the quarterback and dropping his primary receiver to undercut others as the ball is thrown. He shows good ball-skills, extending outside of his frame and plucking the ball out of the air and delivering a late rip at the ball as receivers are attempting to secure it. A dynamic athlete, Alexander is a threat to score any time he has the ball in his hands, showing lightning acceleration, elusiveness and vision to set up blocks with punt return experience. While obviously lacking ideal size, Alexander does not lack for aggression against bigger receivers and as a tackler, taking on would-be blockers aggressively and lowering his shoulder into the knees of ball-carriers for very effective and often quite physical take-downs. -- Rob Rang 12/22/2017

WEAKNESSES
Limited to just six games in 2017 after sustaining a knee injury in the season-opener against Purdue and breaking his hand in practice later in the year, injuries which each require a close examination by team doctors at the Combine. Comes with obvious size limitations with bigger receivers simply able to out-leap him because of their height advantage (Florida State, 2016). Too aggressive for his own good, biting on pump fakes and double-moves and leaving himself scrambling to recover. Occasionally misses tackles with his trademark lunges at the knees (see LSU, 2016). -- Rob Rang 12/22/2017

COMPARES TO: Jason Verrett, Chargers. When healthy, Verrett has lived up to his first-round draft selection (No. 24 overall in 2014), earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2015, showing off the quick feet and tenacity to handle coverage duties despite measuring in at just 5-10, 188 pounds. Unfortunately, Verrett has struggled with injuries, missing more games than he's played over his four-year career. With a similar frame and aggressive playing style, durability concerns could limit Alexander's stock despite his coverage skills.

IN OUR VIEW: Alexander may lack ideal size but he is feisty as a rat terrier, winning in coverage because of his elite foot quickness, route anticipation and sticky hands and attacking blocks and ball-carriers in run support, projecting as an immediate nickel and punt return candidate with the potential to handle outside duties.

[call_me_ishmael]

Wow, that write up is pretty glowing. I don't know anything about the guy. I trust that the people making the pick know more than I do. He seems a little short but again I defer to the experts.

[yetisnowman]

Short, not a great tackler, coming off injury....what could go wrong? Hope it pans out. But i wasn't crazy with the move. Wanted James or Edmunds. I'll give the Gut credit for being active though.

[smuggler]

James is also coming off an injury of his own and probably has about 50/50 shot of busting based on the instincts required of his position.

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Versus Clemson in 2016

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Alexander versus Purdue 2017

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Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 5102
Weight: 196

PD3X AKA "Official"
40 Yard Dash (ET): 4.38

40 Yard Dash (HH): 4.37
20 Yard (ET): 2.55
20 Yard (HH): 2.49
10 Yard (ET): 1.52
10 Yard (HH): 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 14
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 3.98
3-Cone Drill: 6.71