Can Baltimore’s Two-Time Pro Bowl Cornerback Elevate the Ravens Defense This Season?
The arrival of former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander in Baltimore this offseason, after signing a one-year deal with the Ravens following his release from Green Bay, provides an immediate impact on the landscape of the Ravens’ secondary for the 2025-26 season. Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s top cornerbacks when healthy, comes to Baltimore with a chip on his shoulder and Super Bowl aspirations in mind. He also reunites with his former Louisville teammate and franchise quarterback, Lamar Jackson. The Ravens, fresh off an offseason filled with defensive changes, particularly in the secondary, now boast depth with star talent like Alexander, Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, Malaki Starks, and Chidobe Awuzie headlining a unit built on versatility and elite coverage.
The signing of Alexander brings the 28-year-old’s elite skill set to Baltimore, allowing the Ravens to field a true lockdown corner opposite emerging second-year standout Nate Wiggins on the outside. Marlon Humphrey, an All-Pro in his own right, is expected to take the majority of snaps in the slot, a role that maximizes his aggressiveness, tackling ability, and positional flexibility. Chidobe Awuzie, a former starter with the Cowboys, Bengals, and, most recently, the Titans, provides high-quality depth as a fourth cornerback who can rotate in or play safety packages depending on the situation. This structure not only shores up the perimeter but also allows Kyle Hamilton to roam freely as a chess piece, maximizing his impact in run support, coverage, and blitzes; Hamilton praised the positionless philosophy and Alexander’s addition, calling it a “great addition” and adding, “He’s been one of the best in the league since he got in it. To have anybody like that, no matter what position room, [but] especially as a [defensive back], it’s super valuable.”
While the addition of the former 2018 first-round draft pick brings promise, health remains a significant and lingering concern for both Alexander and the Ravens’ coaching staff. Over the past four seasons, injuries have limited his availability to just 34 of 68 games, and his release from Green Bay was primarily a financial decision tied to that lack of availability rather than his obvious talent. However, when on the field last season, Alexander still managed to earn a strong 78.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, suggesting that his natural instincts and ball skills remain sharp. The Ravens insulated themselves from risk by signing him to a team-friendly, incentive-laden “prove it” deal, ultimately betting on Alexander to rediscover the All-Pro form that once made him one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in the country.
In the end, Alexander’s presence on the Ravens’ roster could help transform a secondary that struggled with consistency and injuries in the first half of last season. His arrival provides not only elite talent but also leadership and swagger to a unit that already includes multiple first-rounders and established veterans. For Lamar Jackson and Alexander, the Louisville reunion goes beyond nostalgia; it's about chasing the Super Bowl dream they never got to achieve in college. If Alexander can stay healthy, Baltimore’s defensive flexibility and star power on the back end could be the final piece in their pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy.
