Heading into the offseason, the Green Bay Packers were expected to part ways with one of their best players. Jaire Alexander, who has played just 14 games combined in the last two seasons, was linked with a move away from the franchise.
However, based on the recent developments, Alexander will likely stay with the Packers for at least the 2025-26 season. There’s no debating that the Packers’ secondary is better when the 28-year-old is on the field, but injuries have plagued his career. As a result, the NFC North franchise is predicted to get Alexander’s potential replacement in next year’s draft.
Packers Projected To Pick a CB Early in 2026 NFL Draft
With a duo of Xavier McKinney and Alexander, the Packers’ secondary could run things in the NFC North. Green Bay has been in competitive games, but those games have seemingly all been without the star cornerback on the field. There have been numerous reasons as to why Alexander hasn’t seen the field, but more often than not, it’s due to injury.
In a way too early 2026 mock draft prediction, PFSN’s Jacob Infante has Green Bay selecting Jermod McCoy with the 23rd pick. McCoy comes from Tennessee and had four interceptions in 2024.
A lot can change in a year’s time, but with the Packers not needing to select another wide receiver in the first round, drafting Alexander’s replacement is the most logical route to take.
Alexander has been a consistent player on the field, but another injury could derail any chance the Packers have of getting anything for him in return in a potential trade. The two-time Pro Bowler still has two years left on his contract, but Green Bay’s front office should have its eyes on McCoy.
McCoy is currently just 19 years old, but he’ll turn 20 on August 16. After a successful first year in Tennessee, McCoy has his sights set on building off that season and increasing his draft stock. Depending on how his season goes, the cornerback could potentially work his way up to being a top 15 pick in the 2026 draft. That said, he can’t get ahead of himself, and neither can NFL front offices.
After being named one of the 10 defensive backs to know for the 2026 draft, McCoy already has a ton of eyes on him for his sophomore season in Tennessee. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 193 pounds, McCoy had an 89.6 coverage grade in 2024 and scored 99.9 in PFF’s Game Athleticism Score metric. He finished the season second in the league with 13 passes defended, adding 44 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
