No cornerback tandem in the NFL has more combined pass breakups or dropped interceptions than Jaire Alexander and Kevin King of the Green Bay Packers.
Together, Alexander and King have 22 pass breakups this season. Both Alexander (12, third) and King (10, sixth) rank inside the top-six through the first 10 weeks.
And while the Packers currently have the fifth-most interceptions in the NFL overall, Alexander and King have missed more opportunities than any other cornerback tandem.
Alexander is currently tied for the NFL lead in dropped interceptions with three, according to Sports Info Solutions. King is right behind him with two.
Alexander’s latest drop came on Sunday when he stepped in front of a Kyle Allen pass late in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hang onto what would have been a likely game-sealing pick-six.
King dropped would-be interceptions against Mitchell Trubisky in Week 1 and Dak Prescott in Week 5, but he also leads the team – and ranks tied for fifth in the NFL – with three picks. Two of his interceptions came in the end zone during the fourth quarter. His third, providing redemption for an earlier drop in Dallas, helped stop a potential comeback in the fourth quarter from the Cowboys.
Alexander benefitted from a drop by Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper on his lone interception. He’s been in position on several interception opportunities but failed to convert this season. In fact, he probably has as many as 4-5 dropped interceptions, especially if including a ball he lost in the sun that resulted in a touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs in Week 2.
The Packers cornerback combination is giving up a lot of yards through the air but also making plays on plenty of passes thrown into their coverage. While dropped interceptions are missed takeaway opportunities, they also suggest the player is in the right place and in a position to make a big play – and their luck catching the football seems likely to turn at some point.
On Sunday, Alexander and King combined for four pass breakups, including one from King in the end zone.
Alexander came out of Louisville with highly touted ball skills, so he’s a great candidate to produce a few picks over the final six games of the 2019 season, especially if he keeps putting himself in great positions to make a play on the football.
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