When a top player and face of the franchise, especially the quarterback, wants a big-time player in free agency, the organization tends to listen. The Baltimore Ravens will always listen when their franchise player wants a big name.
In Baltimore, their top player is franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, and the player he wants is Jaire Alexander. Alexander was Jackson's college teammate at Louisville and a friend of his, and he just became a free agent after the Green Bay Packers released him. One of the best cornerbacks in the NFL is available, and Baltimore could use a cornerback to add to that defense.
After Baltimore's first mini-camp practice, Jackson spoke to the media and had a lot to say, including defending his top playmaker on the offense over the past 7 years, tight end Mark Andrews. The other thing he made clear was his desire to have his college friend on the Ravens.
Get Jaire Alexander to Baltimore now
"Go get him, Eric! I love all of our corners, don’t get me wrong, but go get him, Eric!”
"Yeah, I hit him up, but you never know with Jaire. That’s my boy, man," Jackson said.
GM Lamar? Well, Jackson is going to recruit his buddy over to Baltimore. Will Eric DeCosta see his star quarterback's statement and try to sign Alexander? That will be up to DeCosta and the team's front office. They'll have to see if Alexander is a good fit for the Ravens and the team's defense in defensive coordinator Zachary Orr's system.
When healthy, Alexander has been one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Since 2018, Alexander has made two Pro Bowls with 12 interceptions, 70 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 287 tackles. He became an established player in Green Bay and would bring those accolades to Baltimore if he's signed.
If Jackson can get his friend and college teammate into the Ravens' secondary, Alexander would give Baltimore the best cornerback trio in the NFL, along with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins. Add on Kyle Hamilton and rookie Malaki Starks at the safety position, and that is a dominant secondary. With Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow all in the AFC, signing Alexander would be a massive addition to Baltimore's defense and could put them atop the AFC.