Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been a starter since his first NFL game and he’s always been a good player, but this year, the third-year pro out of Louisville is looking to take his game to another level.

When asked during an offseason press conference if he considered himself an “elite” player, Alexander was quick to say that he did.

But while he has been the Packers best cornerback the last two seasons, Alexander has been lacking one important part of his game if he wants to be considered elite: big plays.

In his first two seasons combined, Alexander intercepted a total of three passes, one in his rookie season and two in 2019. He recorded one half a sack and a total of five tackles for loss in his first two campaigns.

Last year alone, he dropped four potential interceptions and that is arguably the biggest thing keeping him from being considered an elite corner in this league heading into this season.

Well, in Week 1 against the Vikings, Alexander came up with two big plays that helped turn the game in the Packers favor. With Green Bay trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter, Alexander sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins in the end zone for a safety to make the score 7-5.

Then, in the final minute of the half with the Packers leading 15-7, Alexander picked off a pass by Cousins which set up a 45-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Marquez Valdes-Scantling with 21 seconds left before halftime that gave the Packers a 22-7 advantage. Both these big plays were turning points in the game that directly led to Green Bay’s victory.

Ironically, on the safety, Alexander was expecting a run to Dalvin Cook. “Once I anticipated run, I shot my shot. I slid to the DMs, basically,” Alexander said after the game. “And when I saw it wasn't a run, it was too late to turn back, so I just kept going.”

Even though Alexander guessed wrong on the play, he used his speed and was decisive enough to still make a big play. He recalled what defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said to him when he reached the sideline. “I'm not really going to say what he said verbatim, but he called me ‘sneaky’ and he gave me a fist bump,” Alexander said. “So, you know, it was all smiles.”

The smiles continued after his big interception. “Turnovers are always big plays,” Alexander explained. “It gives our offense an opportunity to score and put points on the board. So, it was real, uh, real fun. It's pretty much expected at this point.”

The expectations are clearly there for Alexander. Head coach Matt LaFleur had this to say about his number one cornerback early in training camp. “There’s so much to like about Ja,” LaFleur told reporters. “First of all, I love being around him. I’ve told him a million times, he’s got such an infectious energy for everybody—not only the guys on defense, but I think our entire team. I love how he competes on a daily basis, and I think he’s a premier corner in this league.”

Alexander has the qualities that an elite cornerback needs in the NFL. He has good speed, believes in himself and never lets a bad play get him down. Alexander can quickly forget when he gives up a big play without losing his self-confidence.

“It’s just that unwavering belief I have in myself,” Alexander said during training camp. “I think I’ve built this kind of comfortability within the system, within the defense, which is allowing me to play faster than before. I feel like this is the most confident I’ve been in my technique and in my game. I’m just ready to embark on this year three.”

Alexander feels he was playing his best football late in 2019 and that he can take things to another level this year. “I think through those last couple games, especially in the playoffs, my defense, and my coverage was the best it’s been all year,” Alexander said. “I like that I was able to turn that focus over when the games really mattered and really lock in on my coverage and just proving that I am elite in this league. So, I think that was the biggest takeaway, that I can do those things and when I lock in and when I master my craft the sky is the limit.”

The game is clearly slowing down for Alexander and that is allowing him to be in position to make more big plays. If he continues to play like he did in Week 1, there is no reason he can’t make the Pro Bowl for the first time after the 2020 season and help the Packers return to the playoffs.