Jaire Alexander

After missing most of the 2021 campaign due to a shoulder injury, Alexander played 16 games last year and picked off a career-high five passes while earning second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in three seasons. The interception potential puts Alexander on the radar in IDP leagues, but he doesn't stack up tackles like other defensive backs. He's generally regarded as the top defender on the roster, though, and his presence is a selling point for those backing Green Bay's defense.

After being named second-team All-Pro following the 2020 season, Alexander entered 2021 as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. The Packers were without his services for much of the campaign, though, as he injured his shoulder Week 4 and didn't return until the postseason. The missed time wound up having no impact on the Packers' confidence in him, as over the offseason he signed a contract that made him the highest-paid player at his position. Teams generally have avoided throwing at Alexander, but with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas alongside him, he may now have more chances to take away the ball. Alexander's return will be a major boon to a defense trending upward on cheat sheets.

After steadily ascending since the Packers selected him in the first round of the 2018 Draft, Alexander established himself as one of the NFL's best cornerbacks last season. He doesn't put up gaudy statistics, but that's because teams avoided his side of the field, which shouldn't be a surprise considering he was Pro Football Focus' top-rated cover corner in 2020. Alexander might not help much in leagues that use IDPs, but his presence on the field can't be ignored, and he could help make Green Bay's defense a sleeper in fantasy leagues.

Alexander, the Packers' top pick in 2018, has developed into the team's top cornerback. He was one of the better cover corners in the league last season, and he almost never came off the field. He was targeted frequently, but he held his own and finished tied for fourth in the league with 17 pass deflections. Seeing more passes in his direction helps Alexander pile up tackles, but it has not resulted in many interceptions, as he has just three over 29 career games.

Alexander was selected in the first round of last year's draft, and while he did not head into Week 1 as a starter, he assumed that role in Week 3 and never gave it back. Injuries limited Alexander to 13 games in his rookie season, but he impressed when on the field, totaling 66 tackles and 11 deflections. Those numbers don't rank all that highly among defensive backs, but it's tough for cornerbacks to make much of a fantasy impact to begin with. Alexander did have one interception, and has the skills to increase that number. He is definitely a breakout candidate in Year 2.

The Packers traded down in the first round of this year's draft and picked up both an extra first-rounder and Alexander in the process. It remains to be seen if Alexander will open the season in the starting lineup, but he figures to play a key role of some sorts right away, and will have a chance to start at some point even if he does not in Week 1.