Dawgs By Nature
Green Bay is releasing the talented but oft-injured Jaire Alexander. Should Cleveland show any interest?
It wasn’t that long ago that the Cleveland Browns appeared to have built a cornerback room that was the envy of many teams.
Led by Denzel Ward, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, the trio of Ward, Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson Jr. appeared set to be one of the team’s strongest groups, one that was built to frustrate the game’s top passing offenses.
That was not true in 2024, however, as tackling issues in the secondary and a lack of turnovers helped to contribute to a downturn in the defense’s fortunes. While Ward is still one of the game’s best at the position, the play of Newsome and Emerson declined to the point where they ranked No. 106 and No. 111, respectively, out of 116 eligible cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus.
It has reached the point where fans and media are ready to give up on the duo, especially Newsome, who seemingly every few weeks, is placed into a new trade rumor. (Never mind the question of how the Browns are supposed to get any value back in a trade for a player that many have determined is horrible.)
The Browns are likely to enter the season hoping that Ward can stay healthy and that one or both of Newsome and Emerson will bounce back.
But if the team is feeling nervous about the position, could they take a shot on Jaire Alexander, who was released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday?
A seven-year veteran and former first-round selection in 2018, Alexander is a two-time Pro Bowler who has been one of the game’s better cornerbacks, having posted a PFF coverage grade of 91.1 in 2020. The problem is that, since then, Alexander has had a hard time staying on the field.
In 2021, he played in just four games while dealing with a shoulder injury. In 202,3 it was just seven games due to back and shoulder injuries. In 2024? Same story as he played in just seven games, and he dealt first with a quad injury and then a PCL injury.
All told Alexander has only played in more than seven games once in the past four seasons.
The Packers tried to get Alexander to take a pay cut for the upcoming season, but once he declined that and Green Bay could not find a trade partner, the decision was made to release him.
The injury concerns would follow Alexander to Cleveland, of course, but the Browns would be protected by having Newsome and Emerson still on the roster in case of another injury. But if Alexander can stay healthy, pairing him with Ward as the starting cornerbacks would certainly give opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers something to worry about each Sunday.
Depending on his health, Alexander will have his share of teams looking to sign him for the upcoming season, and the Browns would probably not be his first choice,...
